Four San Francisco church abuse lawsuits settled for $4 million
The buttociated Press Contra Costa Times Friday, September 2, 2005
San Francisco - The San Francisco Roman Catholic Archdiocese has agreed to pay a total of $4 million to settle four lawsuits filed by alleged victims of priest loveual abuse.
The suits were filed against defrocked Monsignor Patrick O'Shea, 72, who had escaped prosecution on molestation cases twice before because the charges were filed after the statute of limitations expired.
The largest of the four settlement awards went to Kenneth McDonald, who received $1.7 million. McDonald claimed O'Shea began molesting him in 1968 when he was an 11- year-old altar boy and student at Mission Dolores Basilica. The molestation continued for two years during trips to Lake Berryessa, where the priest owned a cabin, according to the lawsuit.
O'Shea has admitted in civil depositions to molesting some boys over several years, but claimed McDonald was not one of them.
McDonald's attorney, David Mattingly, said the settlement amount was appropriate.
"My client is pleased that his rights were vindicated and that there was an acknowledgment by the church that wrongdoing occurred," Mattingly said.
Archdiocese spokesman Maurice Healy did not have details about the other three settlements, and attorneys for those plaintiffs could not be reached Thursday.
A total of 60 cases were filed against the San Francisco archdiocese in 2003 under a state law allowing alleged victims one year to file claims seeking damages for past abuse. Of those, 31 have been settled for a total of $41 million, Healy said.
He added that insurance payouts cover about two-thirds of the cost.
O'Shea served in local churches, including St. Cecilia's parish and Holy Name of Jesus Church, for 36 years. He was defrocked in 1994, after the molestation accusations arose, and was convicted last year of embezzling about $200,000 from the church. He was sentenced to time served as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Bishop John Wester, administrator for the archdiocese, offered an apology to abuse victims on behalf of the church, adding that "it is our hope that the settlements will help to provide lasting healing to these individuals for the suffering they have endured."
Information from the San Francisco Chronicle
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