SAN FRANCISCO (CA)
Associated Press [New York NY]
June 30, 2026
[To see video, click here.]
1. Church abuse survivor Brigid Crotty walks through botanical garden
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Brigid Crotty, Church abuse survivor: “Approximately 55 years ago, O’Shea, a then Monsignor in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, abused me multiple times to say the least. What I think is worth reiterating is what he told me during those times, which is this: ‘You are a bad girl, and if you tell anyone, everyone will know you are a bad girl.’ Hence, the 55 years of silence and darkness.”
3. Crotty sits on bench in garden
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Brigid Crotty, Church abuse survivor: “There are 14 high-level points that are outlined in this quote-unquote settlement. One of them being that each of the victims will be receiving a note of apology from Archbishop Cordileone. That is one of them. The others mainly have to do with transparency that will be demanded on so many different levels, starting with whistleblower protection, information on the Archdiocesan website showing where to go if…Basically, the shame that has been put upon the victims is now in some way, shape and form being put upon the Archdiocese for not doing what they purported to do and have purported to do for a very long time.”
5. Crotty walks across pedestrian bridge over a pond
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Brigid Crotty, Church abuse survivor: “$395 million, yes. We have, however, 530 survivors that have come forward. That does not include those who have committed suicide, who are on the streets because of drugs and drug related issues. So that number in my mind is actually very small in comparison to the numbers that have been affected by this evil.”
7. Crotty walks through garden
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Brigid Crotty, Church abuse survivor: “I really have felt that most of my life that this has been my mission to try to protect the little ones in whatever way I’ve been able to. And now I feel like there is an army out there that can help ensure that.”
9. Crotty walks through garden
STORYLINE: The San Francisco Catholic Archdiocese has agreed to pay $395 million to settle more than 500 child sexual abuse lawsuits, ending a three-year bankruptcy process. The agreement also requires Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone to write a personal apology to each survivor and mandates sweeping reforms, including a public list of accused clergy, whistleblower protections, and a ban on confidentiality agreements that silence victims. Among the survivors is Brigid Crotty, now an administrator at a San Francisco Catholic high school. Crotty says she was abused repeatedly by a then-monsignor more than 55 years ago and remained silent for decades after being told she was “a bad girl” and no one would believe her. Crotty says the settlement is about more than money. “The shame that has been put upon the victims is now, in some way, shape or form, being put upon the Archdiocese for not doing what they purported to do for a very long time,” Crotty said. Crotty, who says her Catholic faith has endured despite the abuse she suffered, believes her life’s mission has been to protect children. She says the new safeguards required under the settlement will help ensure future generations are better protected. The Archdiocese says it accepts full responsibility for the abuse and hopes the settlement provides a path toward healing for survivors.