Questions, Answers on California lawsuits

This is another of several items from a special issue of our Catholic Herald dealing with the potential financial impact of cases against our Archdiocese in the California courts involving claims of sexual abuse of minors by one of our priests who was transfered there. As reposted on the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's web site, it includes internal links to each question and the Archdiocese's answer. I will merely add brief supplementary comment.

Why are sexual abuse lawsuits filed in California affecting the Archdiocese of Milwaukee?

Because Archbishop Cousins and then Archbishop Weakland assumed sending a priest there meant he wasn't their problem.

What has been the response of the archdiocese to these cases?

Lawyers and public relations.

Can the archdiocese win?

It doesn't say "yes" or even "maybe"; what does that leave?

If the archdiocese loses, will there be a financial impact?

Spokane went bankrupt and the USCCB elected its bishop president. So, no, it will have no financial impact on any of our bishops.

Have other dioceses settled cases like this?

In an inexplicably protracted way? Sure.

Where would the money for a settlement come from?

Selling property and firing people.

What about insurance?

See Archdiocese sues insurance companies to force coverage about the case Archdiocese of Milwaukee, et al. vs. Lloyds of London, et al.. Better hurry; Case records destroyed despite court rule.

Could these cases drive the archdiocese into bankruptcy?

No need, the Bankruptcy Court is within walking distance of the Cathedral.

How much money does the Archdiocese of Milwaukee have?

Depends; have you ever dated an Archbishop?

What has been the financial impact of clergy sexual abuse to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee?

GM and Ford look promising by comparison.

Why do these situations always seem to come down to money?

Does your parish ask you to bring an envelope of prayer intentions to Sunday Mass?

Why has it taken so long to resolve these cases?

If there's a good reason, it must be secret.

What is the Mediation System?

Symptomatic: in order that it be "independent", the Archdiocese selected the person to set it up and run it.

Why is the term "victims/survivors" when talking about people who were harmed through clergy sexual abuse?

Because it doesn't cost anything in the short run to patronize the other side.

What is the archdiocese doing to help people who were abused?

It's sl-o-w-ly settling their claims.

What is the archdiocese doing to prevent this in the future?

If by "doing" you mean "accomplishing" it's too soon to tell.