The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $US880 million ($1.3 billion) to victims of clergy sexual abuse dating back decades, in what has been announced as the largest single child sex abuse settlement with a Catholic archdiocese.
Archbishop José H. Gomez said in a statement: "I am sorry for every one of these incidents, from the bottom of my heart," after the announcement of the agreement in principle.
"My hope is that this settlement will provide some measure of healing for what these men and women have suffered," the archbishop added.
"I believe that we have come to a resolution of these claims that will provide just compensation to the survivor-victims of these past abuses."
Attorneys for 1,353 people who allege that they suffered horrific abuse at the hands of local Catholic priests reached the settlement after months of negotiations with the archdiocese, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Decades of legal battles
The agreement caps a quarter-century of litigation against the most populous archdiocese in the United States.
Attorneys in the Plaintiffs' Liaison Committee said in a joint statement "there is no amount of money" that can replace what was taken from these people who "suffered in silence for decades."
"There is justice in accountability," the spokesperson added.
"We are grateful to the brave survivors who came forward to hold those responsible accountable and to protect the children of the future.
"We appreciate the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for acknowledging its failures that enabled and perpetuated the harm that came to these children."
As part of the settlement, the plaintiffs will engage in a process to allocate the settlement amount among the participants.
This will not involve the archdiocese, which has previously paid $US740 million ($1.1 billion) to victims in various settlements and pledged to better protect its church members.
'Largest' child sex abuse settlement
This recent settlement will put the total payout at more than $1.5 billion, according to the Times.
Attorney Morgan Stewart, who led the negotiations, said in a statement the settlement is the largest single child sex abuse settlement with a Catholic archdiocese.
"These survivors have suffered for decades in the aftermath of the abuse," he told the Times.
"Dozens of the survivors have died, they are ageing, and many of those with knowledge of the abuse within the church are too.
"It was time to get this resolved."
The settlement will be funded by archdiocese investments, accumulated reserves, bank financing and other assets.
Associated Press
