$25 Million Settlement Reached in Crosiers Clergy Abuse Cases

By Vivian LaMoore
MilleLacs Messenger
March 26, 2018

http://www.messagemedia.co/millelacs/news/local/million-settlement-reached-in-crosiers-clergy-abuse-cases/article_433da2d2-31d5-11e8-b666-efc1a4a6ae11.html

A $25 million settlement agreement was approved on Thursday, March 22, by the court between the Crosiers religious order and victims of clergy sexual abuse.

The Crosiers emerged from Chapter 11 as the U.S. Bankruptcy Court confirmed the reorganization plan to allow the Crosiers to settle on $25.5 Million – $5.7 million will be paid directly by the Crosiers and just short of $19 million would be paid by the insurers, Jeff Anderson, attorney for the survivors, said.

The agreement was made in advance of the Crosier reorganization settlement under the Child Victims Act, Anderson added.

“We worked with them, and they made public all of the offenders known to the Crosiers. All of the case files will be made public as well,” Anderson said. “I?commend the Crosiers for being transparent and helping so many who were hurt to begin to heal.”

Anderson also commended Fr. Tom Enneking, osc, prior provincial of the U.S. Crosier Province, who took the stand and gave a “heartfelt apology and expressions of sorrow”?before the court.

The Crosiers filed for Chapter 11 protection over nine months ago, according to a statement by the Crosiers. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Kressel for the District of Minnesota, confirmed the Crosiers’ plan for reorganization on March 22. The Crosier Fathers and Brothers Province, Inc.; Crosier Fathers of Onamia; and the Crosier Community of Phoenix filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy June 1, 2017.

“We are grateful to all who worked with us to reach a fair and equitable resolution for the survivors,” Enneking said. “Our goal throughout this process has been to bring healing and reconciliation for the survivors who were hurt by the actions of a few Crosiers more than 30 years ago.”

Enneking continued, “I would like to again deeply and profoundly apologize for the pain and sorrow the survivors have endured. We ask everyone to continue praying with us for all survivors. May they experience healing and peace of heart they long for.”

Anderson has been working for the survivors of childhood abuse for over 30 years he said. He has spent 15 years on behalf of survivors of abuse in the Crosiers religious order. “There were about 15 claims or so with about 100 more that the statute of limitations had run out on. But then in 2013 the Child Victim Act was passed which opened many more cases up again,” Anderson said. “Sixty-seven abuse victims will now have some sort of closure and healing can begin.”

Most of the sexual abuse occurred from the 1960s to the 1980s involving teenage boys attending the Crosiers boarding school in Onamia and some alter boys who served at the Holy Cross Church next door. Many Crosier priests also served in other parishes throughout Minnesota.

Anderson said this settlement is the first of it’s kind in Minnesota and should be used as a model. “The Crosiers and their attorneys helped build a model of transparency and accountability,” Anderson said. “The reality is that survivors can take comfort in knowing the Crosiers are not hiding offenders or their assets so this fair settlement could be reached.”

The Crosiers will continue to serve God and the church, according to the statement. They remain committed to providing and maintaining a safe environment for the people they serve. They do not tolerate sexual abuse and have stringent policies in place to prevent future abuse.

“The mission of the Crosier Fathers and Brothers is to touch suffering with hope,”?according to the statement.