Chicago archdiocese settles decades-old clergy abuse claims for $5.4M

The Archdiocese of Chicago reached nine settlements totaling $5.4 million over decades-old clergy sexual abuse allegations.

Attorneys for the claimants announced the agreements at a Sept. 10 news conference, according to a Sept. 12 report from NBC Chicago.

The claims allege abuse from the early 1970s through the late 1990s, when the claimants were between 6 and 14 years old.

The archdiocese responded to the settlements in a statement cited by NBC Chicago.

“The time frame of these settlements is consistent with the large majority of claims coming forward today,” the archdiocese said. “We have paid more than $400 million to survivors and continue to ask for survivors to come forward. They will be received with dignity and compassion.”

Melissa Anderson, one of the claimants’ attorneys, said according to the outlet that the agreements offered her clients “some sort of measure of justice.”

“Our hope with all of our clients is that by the time we’re able to resolve their case,” Anderson said, “they’re in a better place at the end than they were at the beginning.”

The nine settlements involved allegations against Fathers Michael Cepon, Russell Romano, Clement Carroll, William Devereux, James Sayers, Norbert Maday, David Braun, and William O’Connor.

The archdiocese has not listed four of the priests — Fathers Cepon, Carroll, Sayers, and O’Connor — on its list of credibly accused clergy members.