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July 25, 2008 10:36:17 PM CDT

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LA Cardinal Apologizes to Abuse Victims

Posted Jul 16, 07 4:51 AM CDT in US,  Politics,  Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Cardinal Roger Mahony publicly apologized yesterday to the 508 plaintiffs in a sexual-abuse lawsuit the archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to settle for a record $660 million. Mahony, who met privately with many of the victims abused by clergy, said he wished their lives were like a videotape—"we could put the tape in and delete these years of difficulty and misery."

The settlement, after four years of wrangling, will cost the archdiocese $250 million, insurers $227 million, and religious orders $60 million. Victims advocates noted that it will also prevent Mahony from having to take the stand in the first trial, which was scheduled to start today. "He avoided the No. 1 thing he fears, which is disclosing under oath how much he knew and how little he did about predatory priests," said one.

Source Los Angeles Times

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Cardinal Rogery Mahony celebrates a Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles in this May 2006 file photo. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will settle its clergy...   (Associated Press)
During a press conference in downtown Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger Mahony announces that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will settle its clergy abuse cases for at least $600 million, the...   (Associated Press)
During a press conference in downtown Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger Mahony announces that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will settle its clergy abuse cases for at least $600 million, the...   (Associated Press)
Catholic Cardinal Mahony greets Renan Almendarez Coello, a popular Spanish-language radio host prior to the departure of "The Dreams Across America Tour" at Union Station in Los Angeles on Wed. June 13,...   (Associated Press)
During a press conference in downtown Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger Mahony announces that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will settle its clergy abuse cases for at least $600 million, the...   (Associated Press)
During a press conference in downtown Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger Mahony announces that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will settle its clergy abuse cases for at least $600 million, the...   (Associated Press)
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