Vermont’s Catholic Church to settle 26 priest sex abuse cases with nearly $18 million payment

Settlement in 26 Vermont priest abuse cases

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Twenty-six former altar boys who claim they were sexually abused by Roman Catholic priests in Vermont are going to share a nearly $18 million settlement that will end their lawsuits against the church.

Their lawyer, Jerome F. O’Neill, said Thursday an arbitrator will decide how much of the settlement will go to each person.

The Burlington diocese has been sued by dozens of former altar boys accusing it of negligent hiring. Many of the cases centered on the actions in the 1970s of the now-defrocked Rev. Edward Paquette.

O’Neill says his clients will be relieved they will to be able to put the abuse cases behind them.

Bishop Salvatore Matano Thursday apologized to the abuse victims and asked for prayers to heal their wounds.