Stockton Bishop Issues Statement to Congregations

The Record
June 11, 2013

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130611/A_NEWS/130619983

The Diocese of Stockton's Bishop Stephen Blaire wrote a letter that was read to congregations over the weekend addressing speculation on the diocese filing for bankruptcy and settlements on sexual abuse lawsuits.

A recent settlement brought the total the Catholic diocese has paid in judgments, legal costs and settlements to $15 million over the past 20 years, Blaire said in the letter. And of that, $6 million has been paid in the last three years.

The latest settlement is with a victim of defrocked priest Oliver O'Grady. The victim was 10 or 11 years old when he was molested by O'Grady in the 1980s, according to the letter.

“It is my hope that this settlement helps him continue to heal,” Blaire said. “He, and all victims of sexual abuse, must be in our prayers always.”

Read Wednesday's Record for more on this story.