NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      DALLAS (CWNews.com) - A tentative settlement has been reached between the Diocese of Dallas and eight plaintiffs who wan a portion of a record $119.6 million judgment against the diocese for sexual abuse by a priest, The Dallas Morning News newspaper reported on Thursday.

      The newspaper said the eight remaining plaintiffs have agreed to settle the claims for $22.5 million. The three other plaintiffs agreed in March to a $7.5 million settlement, allowing the diocese to settle the whole case for $30 million instead of the nearly $120 million which could have bankrupted the diocese.

      The diocese had been found liable in a jury trial last year of knowing that former priest Rudolph Kos abused children over a period of ten years and did not take steps to prevent it. Kos is now serving a lengthy prison term.