Chicago Archdiocese settles abuse claims

CHICAGO, May 29 (UPI) -- The Archdiocese of Chicago has announced a $6.65 million settlement with 14 people who said they were abused by priests between 1962 and 1990.

Four of the priests involved have been convicted of criminal charges, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday. Colleen Dolan, a spokeswoman for the archdiocese, said none of the dozen priests involved in the molestation claims is still active in the ministry.

Most of the claims involve abuse in the 1970s and 1980s. Three of the priests have died.

Jeffrey Anderson, a Minnesota lawyer representing the plaintiffs, said two men who were molested as children received more than $1 million each. One was molested by the Rev. Vincent McCaffrey, who pleaded guilty in 2002, admitting he abused 40 children, committing hundreds of illegal sex acts.