Parties Other Than Archdiocese Have Settled with Many Clergy Sex Abuse Claimants

By Haidee Eugenio Gilbert
Pacific Daily News
January 8, 2020

https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2020/01/07/boy-scouts-capuchins-clergy-priest-sex-abuse-lawsuit-settlement/2829548001/

Attorneys for plaintiffs and defendants in Guam's clergy sex abuse lawsuits emerge from the U.S. District Court building in this 2019 file photo, after a joint status conference for cases filed in local and federal court. (Photo: Haidee Eugenio/PDN)

With the exception of the Archdiocese of Agana, defendants in Guam's approximately 280 clergy sex abuse cases have either settled with abuse claimants or they are actively negotiating settlements.

While each sex abuse lawsuit has more than one defendant, almost all have the archdiocese in common as a defendant.

The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy a year ago and has not reached any settlement yet.

The Boy Scouts of America and Capuchin Franciscans have settled with many of the claimants, based on reports of settlement status filed in federal court by attorneys representing defendants and plaintiffs.

The settlement amounts, however, remain confidential.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood ordered the parties to submit the reports by Jan. 6, "in order to better gauge how many cases and claims remain pending that require resolution by the court."

Attorneys David Lujan, Michael Berman, Anthony C. Perez and Kevin Fowler filed their reports on behalf of clergy sex abuse plaintiffs.

Boy Scouts of America counsel Patrick Civille and Capuchin Franciscans counsel Vincent C. Camacho also filed their reports.

The Capuchins have reached settlements with at least 83 of the 156 claimants that named the religious order as a defendant.

The others are under negotiation or offers are still pending.

Of 65 clergy sex abuse claimants represented by Berman, 57 have already settled with the Boy Scouts.

Reporter Haidee Eugenio Gilbert covers Guam's Catholic church issues, government, business and more. Follow her on Twitter @haidee_eugenio.