New Orleans archdiocese increases sex abuse settlement offer to $230m guaranteed

The increase from an initial guarantee of $180m is enough to persuade certain attorneys who were opposed to striking a deal to instead favor settling

Just as the Roman Catholic archdiocese of New Orleans was beginning to ask victims of clergy sexual abuse to approve a settlement plan assuring them of $180m, the church has now guaranteed $230m - enough to persuade certain attorneys who were opposed to striking a deal to instead favor settling.

The church's largest insurer, Travelers, for now has evidently held out against a settlement. However, the Guardian and local reporting partner WWL Louisiana understand that the insurer is in active talks to contribute an amount of money that could substantially increase the worth of the proposed settlement.