The Archdiocese of Denver says it has agreed to pay $5.5 million to settle 18 claims by people who said Catholic priests sexually abused them when they were children. Church officials said Tuesday that 16 of the cases were lawsuits and two were claims filed outside the court system.
Two law firms involved in the cases say 17 lawsuits were settled. The conflicting numbers couldn't immediately be reconciled.
The archdiocese says the claims involved three priests who have since died.
Archbishop Charles Chaput (SHAP'-yoo) says the archdiocese has now settled a total of 43 lawsuits or claims involving sexual abuse for a total of $8.2 million. Two lawsuits remain unresolved.
Chaput says the money is coming from what he called "archdiocesan assets" but no real estate has been sold to cover the expenses.
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