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	Mediation Talks Settle Civil Suits against Diocese The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange October 5, 2007 http://www.rcbo.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=377&Itemid=100000001 ORANGE, Calif. (October 5, 2007) – The Diocese of Orange today announced settlement of the Jane C.R. Doe v. Andrade, Mater Dei High School and the Diocese of Orange lawsuit, currently in pre-trial motions in the Orange County Superior Court, and three other cases. The trial judge, Hon. Gail Andler invited the parties to enter into settlement discussions which began September 25, 2007. The parties agreed to the appointment of Hon. Charles "Tim" McCoy as mediator. Three other cases, filed by the same plaintiffs' counsel against the Diocese, were included in the mediation proceedings and became part of a global settlement package. These cases involved lay personnel alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct with female high school aged students. Two cases involved Diocesan High Schools; one case concerned a parish musician and a public high school student. The Bishop of Orange, the Most Rev. Tod D. Brown, who approved the settlement and participated in the mediation process said, "The settlement of these civil cases represents the moral obligation for the Church for such behavior by adults in positions of responsibility. By settling these cases I sincerely hope that it will enable the women who brought these actions to begin the process of healing and reconciliation." The lead Diocesan attorney Peter M. Callahan Esq., partner in the Tustin-based firm of Callahan, McCune & Willis APLC said, "The direct involvement of the Bishop in the mediation process was a key factor in today's results. When Judge Andler invited the parties to explore settlement, it was our view that if a reasonable settlement could be reached, then all parties would potentially benefit as it would end months, and possibly years, of protracted litigation." "In the Andrade case, although we were ready to present our case before the trial jury, it was the view of the Diocese that a lay employee of the school had committed a wrong and if there was a way to compassionately compensate the plaintiff, then the Diocese would propose and join in that resolution," he added. Mr. Callahan noted there is clear evidence which would have been presented at trial that Mater Dei High School administration timely and properly reported the matter to Child Protective Services and fully cooperated with the Westminster Police Department, during its five-month investigation in 1997. With regard to a contempt of court citation filed by opposing counsel, Callahan added: "The Diocese intends to fight this in a court of law. The effort to repudiate Bishop Brown's character, and by extension Msgr. John Urell, is unwarranted. We will seek a clear ruling of dismissal by Judge Andler at the earliest opportunity." Bishop Brown concluded, "While we cannot change the events of the past - we must do all we can to reduce the likelihood of such occurrences in the future. Since the time of these cases, the Diocese has implemented the Safe Environment Program in all our schools and parishes. I am particularly pleased to note that Mater Dei High School, thanks to the dedication of the staff, was given a very positive audit result of its compliance with the Program, by the nationally recognized independent Gavin Group, earlier this year."
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