NEW ULM, MINN. – After tearful testimony by several survivors of clergy sexual abuse and a heartfelt apology from Bishop John LeVoir, the Catholic Diocese of New Ulm and area churches won approval Tuesday of a $34 million settlement with nearly 100 claimants.
Just as important to the victims: The diocese agreed to adopt 17 protocols designed to protect children from abuse and to turn over its files on credibly accused priests.
Nineteen people — abuse survivors and their supporters — stood inside a Brown County courtroom to witness the resolution of the diocese’s bankruptcy case and hear a formal apology from LeVoir from the witness stand.
“I apologize again on behalf of the church to all who have been harmed by clergy sexual abuse,” LeVoir said.
He said he hoped that the settlement and the adoption of child-protection protocols would help the victims heal and provide some peace of mind.
“I pray for this daily knowing we can never truly compensate you” for the years of suffering endured, LeVoir said, thanking them for coming forward with their stories. He said it was their courage that forced church leaders to “face what we did and what we failed to do.
“We should have taken responsibility and shared the truth on our own,” LeVoir said.
All of the known 93 victims who filed claims against the diocese have approved the terms of the settlement. A specialist in abuse apportionment will calculate the amount each will receive based on the specifics of the abuse, said attorney Jeff Anderson, who represents many of the victims.
And there could be more victims yet, Anderson said.
“We’ve required them to come forth with names [of suspected abusers] that have never been revealed publicly,” he told the abuse claimants before the hearing Tuesday.
Anderson repeatedly praised those who filed claims and demanded a public accounting of the crimes that took place.
“You have required them to be cleaner and better and safer,” he said of diocesan officials.