Speaking today at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the cardinal said the archdiocese´s Finance Council had turned down the settlement because of concern about the rising number of victims and the Church´s shrinking resources, the Associated Press reported.
Cardinal Law said the number of additional sexual abuse claims against priests and the archdiocese had recently grown to 150 from 30, AP reported.
«I trust you can understand the disappointment, the anger and even the sense of fresh betrayal which may be in the hearts of the 86 persons,» the cardinal said. «Nonetheless, I pray that, as time goes on, they may be willing to help in the framing of a wider settlement which can include the victims who have only recently come forward.»
Advisers on the Finance Council refused Friday to approve a settlement worth an estimated $15 million to $30 million with 86 people who have accused former priest John Geoghan of sexual abuse. Geoghan is now serving a nine- to 10-year prison term for abusing a boy.
