Los Angeles Church to Pay Big for Past Abuses

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has struck a deal to pay $880 million to people who say they were sexually abused by church officials long ago. This is the biggest settlement of its kind with a Catholic archdiocese, according to lawyers. The agreement comes after years of lawsuits and negotiations. Archbishop José H. Gomez apologized deeply for the incidents. He hopes the money will help those who suffered. The archdiocese has already paid $740 million in other settlements. This new deal brings the total to over $1. 5 billion. The money will come from the church's investments, savings, loans, and other assets. Some religious groups involved in the case will also contribute. The people who sued will decide how to divide the money among themselves, without the archdiocese's involvement. Lawyer Morgan Stewart said the survivors have waited decades for this resolution. Many have died, and those with knowledge of the abuse are aging.