Judge OKs $40M settlement with Duluth diocese

DULUTH, Minn. – A federal judge has approved a $40 million settlement between the Diocese of Duluth and dozens of people who say they were abused as children by priests.

Judge Robert Kressel signed off on the settlement Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The diocese filed for bankruptcy in 2015 and reached the settlement in May.

The agreement also calls for the diocese to open its files on more than three dozen priests who were credibly accused of abuse and develop procedures to ensure children will be protected.

The Star Tribune reports that Duluth Bishop Paul Sirba apologized and expressed “sincere sorrow.”

Attorney Jeff Anderson, who represented 120 claimants, says the settlement “can and does make this community safer and better.”

The northeastern Minnesota diocese has more than 56,000 members in 92 parishes.