$30 Million Settlement Reached in Clergy Abuse Cases in Southeastern Minnesota Involving Insurance Company and Diocese of Winona-Rochester

In a significant development, a Twin Cities law firm, renowned for advocating for victims of clergy sexual abuse, has announced a $30 million settlement with U.S. Fire Insurance. This settlement addresses claims involving the Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester. The agreement follows a previous $28 million settlement with the diocese in 2021, which included coverage from the church and two of its insurers.

The settlement comes after three sexual abuse cases went to trial last year in southeastern Minnesota, resulting in substantial verdicts against the Diocese of Winona. Two of these cases involved allegations against Father Joseph Cashman and students at Lourdes High School in Rochester during the 1970s. The trials, conducted in Olmsted County Court, awarded $7.6 million and $4.8 million in damages to the victims, respectively.

The third case involved a lay volunteer, known as “Brother Gene,” accused of sexually abusing a juvenile boy at St. Mary’s Parish and School in Winona in the early 1970s. This case concluded with a $4.5 million verdict. The law firm, Jeff Anderson & Associates, emphasized that U.S. Fire Insurance had previously denied and delayed participating in settlements, a decision they described as oppressive towards survivors seeking closure.

This settlement marks a pivotal moment for accountability within the insurance industry, as noted by Jeff Anderson & Associates. The firm highlighted the necessity for the industry to reckon with its role in such cases, underscoring the importance of justice and support for victims. This development aligns with the biblical call for justice and mercy, as expressed in Micah 6:8, which emphasizes acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.

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