Missouri Catholic Diocese Reports $700k Paid Out in Clergy Abuse Settlements

Cape Geradeau, Missouri -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau says it has spent more than $700,000 settling claims of clergy abuse over the last 32 years. In a letter with the report, Bishop Edward Rice apologized and said he directed the independent review “in the spirit of accuracy, transparency, and truthfulness”.

Missouri Catholic Diocese releases report detailing $700k paid out in clergy abuse settlements

The bishop said the review that took more than six months to complete covers all clergy files over the 63-year history of the southern Missouri diocese. It shows the diocese has spent more than $636,000 paying alleged victims. Another $70,000 financed victim counseling, medications and future funeral expenses.

The report also says 16 priests were credibly accused of child abuse, with the earliest case involving a priest who assisted before the diocese was formed in 1956.