Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) The Catholic Diocese of Rochester has reached a settlement with survivors of clergy sex abuse.
The settlement, totaling $246 million, includes a $120 million agreement with Continental Insurance Company, a holdout insurer.
"The 246 million includes all settlement monies," said attorney Mitchell Garabedian. "This includes the Diocese, parishes, smaller insurance companies, larger insurance companies. It's all inclusive."
$120 million came from CNA Insurance, representing the largest insurance company. The Diocese, parishes and smaller insurance carriers came up with the balance, $126 million. He added that Rochester parishes provided $65 million.
"The 500 survivors have had an enormous amount of determination, strength and courage. It took perseverance from all parties to obtain a result that provides validation for survivors, which is very important," added
Garabedian.
Both the Rochester Diocese and Buffalo Diocese are going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
The Buffalo Diocese has reached a $150 million settlement with over 800 survivors of clergy sexual abuse. The settlement does not include funds from insurance companies, which is being mediated separately.
Garabedian says the numbers change from diocese to diocese, but the attitude cannot change.
"If there is a desire to settle these cases, reasonably, providing validation to survivors, then it will be reached," he said.
The next step will be to determine how much to allocate to each survivor.
Garabedian represents 97 survivors in Rochester. He represents 43 survivors in Buffalo.
"Survivors, he said, never reach full healing or closure. But they gain a sense of validation and a sense of self worth, which is very meaningful."