The Orange County, California Catholic diocese will settle 4 alleged sexual abuse cases for almost $6.7 million. The cases, settled earlier this month, involved lay employees of parish high schools, an assistant basketball coach, a teacher and two choir director, and high school girls. The alleged abuse occurred between 1990 and 1999.
Officials report that cost of the settlement will be divided among the abusers, the diocese’s insurance companies, the diocese and the school.
“The settlement of these civil cases represents the moral obligation for the church for such behavior by adults in positions of responsibility. I sincerely hope that it will enable the women who brought these actions to begin the process of healing and reconciliation,” said Bishop Tod Brown in a statement, reports the Orange County Register.