Miss. Catholic Diocese Settles Clergy Abuse Cases for $5.1 Million

The Catholic Diocese of Jackson, Miss., has agreed to pay $5.1 million to settle the priest abuse claims of 19 individuals, the church and plaintiffs attorneys announced this week.

The settlement includes brothers Kenneth, Thomas and Francis Morrison, who filed a $48 million lawsuit against the diocese in 2002 and 16 “John Does” who filed similar complaints. The claims were that the plaintiffs had been abused by priests during a period that covered 30 years.

The diocese said in a statement that one of the cases remains active.

“I sincerely hope that this settlement will bring a sense of peace to all those who have suffered as a result of the acts of a few,” Bishop Joseph Latino said in a statement.