In a rare settlement agreement, a woman was awarded $480,000 in a priest abuse lawsuit, with the added stipulation that the Archdiocese of Portland apologize for the priest's actions, as reported by the Washington Post.
The archbishop of Portland, John Vlazny, wrote out the apology and it was read aloud during a Sunday Mass at St. John the Apostle Parish in Reedsport. The plaintiff, C.H., 41, was in attendance along with her parents.
Defendant Rev. E.A. was a friend of C.H.'s family during the time he headed the parish, between 1984 and 1986, and C.H. had served as an altar girl.
C.H., a teen at the time, was flattered by the gifts that E.A. presented her, and from his attention, as he was a figure of authority to her.
From that time on, through to her years as a student at Oregon State University, E.A. continued to pursue her during his visits.
A portion of the letter, read in church by Monsignor Dennis O'Donovan, stated, "Father (E.A.) was a friend of the (H.) family and took unfair advantage of the high regard in which the family held him. He was a trusted pastor and betrayed that trust."
The archdiocese has a policy not to dispute the claims of a sexual relationship. Over the course of the summer they settled with the plaintiff in the amount of $480,000. The personal apology she requested would be made, as promised, from the church pulpit.
C.H.'s parents are still members of the congregation, and, during the 8:45 a.m. service sat on either side of C.H. as the letter was read aloud. Over 100 people – including a group from a Lutheran church that C.H. had joined in 2011 – were also present.
C.H. was not completely satisfied with the verbiage in the letter. She stated that more was written about how the archdiocese responded to her allegations – than in apologizing for the actions of their priest.
C.H. said, "I wasn't very comfortable with them trying to defend themselves." She also explained that the abuse had "stunted my growth." C.H. continued, "I have hardly dated. I have never had a boyfriend. I have just hidden away. When girls my age were learning how to date and flirt and stuff — I just didn't do that."
In 2004 the archdiocese had filed for bankruptcy protection – due to the onslaught of sexual abuse lawsuits filed against priests. In 2007 they emerged from bankruptcy. Money, $50 million for 175 claims and another $20 million for future claims, had been set aside.
C.H.'s suit had asked for $14 million. With what she received C.H. plans to take her family to Disneyland and save the rest for retirement investments.
C.H. said, "It wasn't about the money. That was one of the reasons I settled. If you go to trial, all you can get is money."
Whether you want your own case to go through a jury trial or are hoping for a settlement, go no further until you contact a personal injury attorney. Cases of priest abuse are best sorted out with an attorney that has experience with personal injury claims.