Local January 06, 2021
Archdiocese settles three abuse cases from 1960s, ’70s and ’80s
By Northwest Catholic
SEATTLE – The Archdiocese of Seattle has reached settlements totaling just over $2 million in three separate cases involving allegations of sexual abuse against four priests of the archdiocese.
During the past six months, settlements were reached in the following cases:
Commitment to transparency
Champagne, OBrien, Conn and Knelleken were included on the archdiocese’s “List of Clergy and Religious Brothers and Sisters for Whom Allegations of Sexual Abuse of a Minor Have Been Admitted, Established or Determined to be Credible” when the list was originally published in January 2016.
As part of its commitment to transparency, the Archdiocese of Seattle established a Protect and Heal website to provide information about the history of sexual abuse in the archdiocese, which peaked in 1975 and has since sharply declined. The website also outlines how, since the early 1980s, the archdiocese has taken steps to prevent abuse, protect the community and help victims and their families heal.
To report any suspicion of abuse by any Catholic Church personnel, please contact local law enforcement. In addition, anyone who has knowledge of misconduct by a member of the clergy, an employee or volunteer of the Archdiocese of Seattle is urged to call the archdiocesan hotline at 1-800-446-7762.