Haggling over abuse claims

last updated 8 January 2015

Boston

Boston Catholics who have accused priests of sexual abuse this week called the church’s latest settlement offer “woefully inadequate.” Archbishop Sean O’Malley took over the troubled archdiocese this month and promptly offered $55 million to 542 people who are suing the archdiocese. Alleged victims noted they would get $60,000 each, after legal fees. “It makes my life very cheap,” said Phil Cogswell, 47. But plaintiff lawyers and many victims said the figure was a good place to start negotiations. Any settlement offer must be approved by 95 percent of the claimants. O’Malley has earned praise for immediately reaching out to victims and making settling the abuse claims his top priority. One of his first acts was to replace the church’s lawyers, who had been criticized for being too cutthroat.