The church has sexually molested more children than any known institution in the planet. I can’t understand how it is allowed to operate. If any corporation in the world had committed a fraction of their crimes, it would have been dismantled long time ago. But not the church… Thousands of children have been sexually abused and they continue to be abused every day. That’s very sad.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay a staggering $880 million to 1,353 victims of clergy sexual abuse, marking one of the largest settlements in the history of the Catholic Church. This landmark agreement comes after decades of allegations and legal battles, during which survivors of abuse have fought to hold church officials accountable for the systemic failures that allowed abuse to persist within the institution.

The settlement brings the total amount paid by the Archdiocese in clergy abuse cases to over $1.5 billion, reflecting the magnitude of the scandal that has plagued the church for years. This payout includes previous settlements, which involved thousands of other victims. The funds for the settlement will be drawn from the Archdiocese’s investments, reserves, and secured bank financing, highlighting the significant financial toll the abuse crisis has taken on the Church.

Archbishop José H. Gomez expressed deep regret for the pain caused by members of the clergy, offering an apology and expressing hopes that the settlement will provide some measure of healing to the victims. Gomez reiterated the Archdiocese’s commitment to supporting survivors and implementing stronger safeguarding practices to prevent future abuse.

Despite the monetary compensation, attorneys representing the victims emphasized that no financial sum could ever fully heal the emotional and psychological wounds caused by the abuse. However, they acknowledged that the settlement represents a critical step toward justice and accountability, sending a message that the Church must take responsibility for its actions. Survivors and their advocates hope that this resolution will inspire broader reforms within the Catholic Church worldwide.

The settlement serves as a reminder of the devastating long-term impact of the clergy abuse crisis and underscores the ongoing need for institutional reform, transparency, and stronger protections for vulnerable individuals within religious communities. While the resolution is significant, the emotional scars and damage done to survivors will take far longer to heal.

Other cases of the church abusing thousands of children

• The French Catholic Church has sexually abused 330,000 children over the past 70 years
• The bodies of 215 children have been found in a residential school ran by the catholic church
• My Grandma Punished Me For Not Submitting To Her Religion

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