Catholic Archdiocese of LA Reaches $880 Million Settlement Over Sexual Abuse Claims

Many of the abuse claims covered in the settlement took place more than 50 years ago.

Abuse victim Jorgen Olsen (R) and supporter Glenn Gorospa (L) hold quilts bearing portraits of abused children while gathered outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, California, on Feb. 1, 2013. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $880 million to settle decades-old sexual abuse claims filed by thousands of men and women, officials announced on Wednesday.

In a joint statement, attorneys representing the Plaintiff’s Liaison Committee and Counsel for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, said the settlement covers 1,353 individuals who filed lawsuits alleging they were sexually abused as children by priests and clergymen.