WINONA, Minn. — The Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester has agreed to a $21.5 million settlement with 134 survivors of clergy sexual abuse. The settlement averages about $1.5 million per claim. The settlement will allow the Diocese to proceed with bankruptcy reorganization, said Bishop John Quinn. The diocese has been working since 2018 on Chapter 11 bankruptcy to deal with the issue. The settlement resolves claims against parishes, schools and other church entities. The settlement allows for possible action against insurance carriers that provided coverage to the Diocese in the 1960s and 1970s. To prevent reoccurrences, Quinn said the Diocese has conducted 44,000 background checks. Also, he said, 16,000 clergy, teachers, staff and volunteers have completed training from the Ministerial Standards Board to ensure accountability and proper monitoring of interactions with youth.
Quinn. Since 2009 the bishop of the Winona-Rochester Diocese. The Diocese has 107 parishes, four high schools, 30 other schools, and a seminary at Saint Mary’s University. The Diocese claims 130,000 Catholics.
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John Quinn, bishop: “It is my desire and hope that the compensation paid in this settlement will help the survivors heal from the pain they have felt over these many years. We must never forget the tragic anguish caused by individuals who abused their power and positions of authority. We must stay vigilant in our unwavering commitment to protect the youth in our Diocese who rely on priests, deacons, religious, and lay people to keep them safe and provide for their spiritual care. I pledge my continuing commitment to ensure that this terrible chapter in the history of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester never happens again.”