Laity, Clergy Asked to Defray Sex Abuse Costs

San Diego bishop draws support from pulpit, less backing from pews
By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 8, 2007 12:00 PM CDT
Laity, Clergy Asked to Defray Sex Abuse Costs
Church In San Diego Barrio Celebrates Easter Mass   (Getty Images)

The San Diego Diocese is turning over every stone to pay its $198.1 million settlement to sexual abuse victims, asking both priests and parishioners to chip in. Clerics are apparently willing—many will donate a month’s salary—but parishioner responses are far less positive, the LA Times reports. One says: "The Vatican can sell a painting or two."

Many say the diocese or Rome should sell property to pony up; others refuse to empathize, saying predators should be jailed. Still, one national survey found 44% of Catholics consider it “acceptable” to fund the settlement. More skeptical were the attorney who fought the diocese and the judge who denied it bankruptcy: Both argue church coffers are more than deep enough. (More priest sex abuse stories.)

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