A judge in St. George has a hearing tomorrow to review a class-action settlement for victims of sexual abuse by priests and other employees of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston.The settlement would give victims thousands of dollars from a 12 (m) million dollar fund.
Circuit Judge Diane Goodstein is to hear any objections tomorrow. The agreement was reached last year by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston and attorneys representing victims.
Victims abused as children could get anywhere from ten thousand dollars to 200-thousand dollars.
Spouses and parents would receive 20-thousand dollars under the settlement.
Church officials say 50 abuse claims involving 28 clergy members or other employees have been settled for three (m) million dollars since 1950.
Some 50 people claim SC Roman Catholic Sex Abuse
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Nearly 50 people who claim they were sexually abused by Roman Catholic priests and other church employees in South Carolina have emerged since the Diocese of Charleston announced it would set aside as much as $12 million to settle such claims, an attorney said Thursday.
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Nearly 50 people who claim they were sexually abused by Roman Catholic priests and other church employees in South Carolina have emerged since the Diocese of Charleston announced it would set aside as much as $12 million to settle such claims, an attorney said Thursday.
About four dozen people have come forward since the pool of money was announced in January, said lawyer David Haller, who represents some of the alleged victims.
"At least from what they have told us, they seem to be legitimate," Haller said.
The diocese, which represents South Carolina's 158,000 Catholics, did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.
Word of the new alleged victims came a day before a scheduled court hearing to review the class-action settlement.
When the settlement pool received initial approval from a judge earlier this year, church officials said they knew of at least eight victims, but believed more would come forward.
Since 1950, 50 abuse claims involving 28 clergy members or other diocesan employees have been settled for almost $3 million, church officials have said.
Those claims are not part of the new settlement.
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