LOS ANGELES, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Roman Catholic leaders in southern California have agreed to pay more than $85 million to settle sex abuse claims by 87 people.
While the Diocese of Orange, a church jurisdiction area near Los Angles, did not disclose the exact amount of the settlement, the Los Angeles Times Friday said it would exceed the $85 million record payment by the Boston diocese.
Bishop of Orange Tod D. Brown called the agreement "both fair and compassionate." He said he planned to write a letter to each victim "personally seeking forgiveness and reconciliation."
"We will be able to fairly compensate the victims in a way that allows our church to continue its ministry of service to the entire community," Brown said immediately after the announcement shortly after 11 p.m. at the civil courthouse in downtown Los Angeles.
The settlement will be paid without bankrupting the diocese or requiring any of its 56 parishes to be closed.
