KANSAS CITY (MO)
National Catholic Reporter

Brian Roewe | Oct. 17, 2014

KANSAS CITY, MO.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his clergy sex abuse trial against the Kansas City-St. Joseph, Mo., diocese ended prematurely because of a global settlement, Jon David Couzens said he intends to remain a voice for the protection of children.

“My case turned into a cause, and my cause is for all these children, and I’m going to keep moving forward,” he said at a press conference in the shadow of the gold dome of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Kansas City.

Late Tuesday, the diocese agreed to pay $9.95 million to settle 30 historical cases alleging clergy sexual abuse of minors, including the Couzens case — the first case for the diocese to reach the trial stage.

Two days later, several of the claimants in the settlement announced…