Record Clergy Abuse Award Includes Liability On Parish

The New York Times reports that last Wednesday a jury in Delaware decided on the largest compensatory damage award yet in a clergy sexual abuse case-- $30 million to a man who was abused more than 100 times by a Catholic priest.  Also, unlike most other clergy abuse cases, the jury decided that a portion of the damages-- $3 million-- is to be paid by St. Elizabeth parish in Wilmington where the abuse occurred in the 1960's.  In most cases, damages are awarded against the diocese or religious order, not the parish. However the Wilmington Catholic Diocese has filed for bankruptcy (see prior posting) and therefore there is a stay on all litigation against it. On Monday the jury will hear testimony on punitive damages. [Thanks to Pew Sitter for the lead.]