USCCB: Abuse Scandal Cost Some $2.2 Billion; Dioceses Spent $28.7 Million on Attorney Fees

The Catholic Culture website reports that the clerical abuse scandal cost American dioceses $104,439,629 in 2009, as indicated in an annual report released on March 23, 2010 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Only 59 percent of those funds were allotted to settlements ($55.0 million) and therapy for abuse victims ($6.5 million); the rest was spent on attorneys' fees ($28.7 million), support for offenders ($10.9 million), and other costs ($3.3 million).

The clerical abuse scandal cost religious institutes an additional $15,648,367 in 2009.These expenses brought the total cost of the clerical abuse scandal to American dioceses and religious institutes between 2004 and 2009 to $2,194,729,859: $1,897,599,482 for dioceses and eparchies, and $297,130,377 for religious institutes.

In addition, American dioceses spent more than $21 million in 2009 on safe environment programs and background checks.