Catholic Religious Order Reaches $16.5 Million Bankruptcy Settlement With Abuse Victims

Today's Chicago Tribune reports that a Catholic religious order now in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings-- the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers North American Province-- has agreed to a $16.5 million settlement with 400 priest sexual abuse claimants nationwide.  The order also agreed to enforce a zero-tolerance policy for brothers accused of sexual abuse. Earlier this month, frustrated with the inability to reach a settlement in bankruptcy court, 31 Chicago men who were victims of abuse by members of the Order filed suit in state court. (See prior posting.)