Iowa Diocese Settles 37 Claims of Abuse

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport agreed to pay $9 million Thursday to settle 37 claims of sexual abuse by priests -- a deal that could lift any immediate threat of bankruptcy.

The settlement averts a potentially embarrassing series of trials over the church’s handling of abuse claims dating back 50 years.

“This has been a tragic time for our church,” Bishop William Franklin said.

“It is my prayer that true healing may now begin in the Diocese of Davenport.”

The settlement, reached after weeks of negotiations, will be covered by insurance and diocesan funds, Franklin said.

Before the settlement, the diocese had warned that it might file for bankruptcy -- a step already taken by dioceses in Tucson and Portland, Ore.

Franklin said it was unclear how the settlement would affect the church and the services it provided to its 102,000 parishioners.

Earlier this month, he announced layoffs and resignations to trim church staff from 44 employees to 18. He also mentioned selling church property, including a retirement home for priests.

“All I can say right now is we’re looking at these possibilities,” Franklin said. “I hope this, for the moment, puts bankruptcy aside.”

Franklin declined to release the payment received by the diocese’s insurer. In a court hearing this month, diocese attorneys calculated church assets at $10 million.

Franklin said he expected the diocese to be hit with more claims of abuse, which would make its financial situation uncertain.

He said the diocese agreed to provide stronger protections for children, including better monitoring of priests.

He noted that most of the claims date to the 1950s and ‘60s.

“Prior bishops are no longer living to explain their decisions,” he said.

“All I know for certain is that, in fact, we failed to protect children from harm. I am profoundly sorry, and I express deep apology to the victims from the entire Catholic community.”