Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese spent more than $517,000 to settle clergy abuse claims

CAPE GIRARDEAU (MO)
Southeast Missourian

April 3, 2019

By Mark Bliss

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau has paid out more than $517,000 to victims of clergy sexual abuse and another $189,337 in legal fees since 1986, the diocese’s bishop disclosed in a letter posted on the diocese website and emailed to Catholics in southern Missouri.

The diocese emailed a copy of the letter to the Southeast Missourian on Tuesday.

Bishop Edward Rice wrote the diocese paid $355,000 out of unrestricted cash reserves to settle eight claims. Another three claims were paid by the diocese’s insurer, Catholic Mutual Relief Society, at a cost of $92,500, according to Rice.

The diocese also spent more than $70,000 to assist abuse victims. The money was spent on prescriptions, counseling and “future funeral expenses,” Rice wrote.

The legal fees were incurred in the handling of the claims and the recent review of diocese personnel files, the bishop wrote.

“Absolutely no funds have come from any parishes or the Diocesan Development Fund or the Capital Endowment Campaign,” he wrote.

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