[ebb tide]

Richmond bishop Barry Knestout boasted at a regional gathering of priests that by settling out of court and getting victims to accept monetary settlements on the condition they give up the right to sue, he will "save the diocese millions of dollars." Bishops fear sex abuse trials for their bad publicity and the payouts which often far exceed those stemming from out-of-court settlements.

Knestout and other bishops know that prelates like Cdl. Timothy Dolan were rewarded for hiding money from abuse victims. When Dolan was archbishop of Milwaukee in 2007, he requested permission from the Vatican to move nearly $57 million into a cemetery trust fund to shield the assets from victims of clergy sexual abuse who were demanding compensation.

[ebb tide]

Ping

[Ouchthatonehurt]

Men Without Chests all.

[Salvation]

In some cases it was the ambulance chasing attorneys who abused their power. I know of one innocent priest whom the ambulance chasers found false witnesses.

There are two sides to this situation.