Dubuque Archdiocese settles clergy sex abuse cases

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — The Archdiocese of Dubuque has agreed to pay $5.2 million to 26 people claiming clergy sex abuse.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports the out-of-court settlement was announced Wednesday. It’s the fourth settlement in nine years.

Church officials, including Archbishop Michael Jackels and Archbishop Emeritus Jerome Hanus, apologized in a statement to the victims and their families. They expressed hope that the settlement will be supportive.

The cases involve 10 priests and alleged abuse between the 1940s and 1970s. None of the accused clergy work as priests today.

The latest settlement means the archdiocese has paid more than $17 million on more than 80 claims of clergy sex abuse.