From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda
It is with great gratitude that I announce the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis fulfilled its remaining $3 million obligation to the $210 million bankruptcy settlement, agreed to by the Archdiocese and clergy abuse survivors in September 2018.
With funds drawn from unexpected estate gifts, and at the advice of the Archdiocesan Finance Council and Corporate Board (lay leaders who advise me on the operations of the Archdiocese), the Archdiocese has decided to accelerate its payment schedule, underscoring a heartfelt desire to assist the survivors as promptly as possible by fulfilling our financial obligation ahead of schedule.
The $3 million represents the remaining balance on the $5 million promissory note in which the Archdiocese agreed to contribute $1 million to the abuse survivors’ trust each year for five years, in addition to its earlier payment of the proceeds that came from the liquidation of Archdiocesan assets.
While this payment on the promissory note completes the financial obligations under the bankruptcy agreement, I and the rest of the leadership of the Archdiocese nonetheless remain committed to vigorous abuse prevention and to programs supporting those harmed by abuse. Funds from the abovementioned bequests will also enable us to build on the progress that has already been made in creating and sustaining safe environments and abuse prevention.
I offer my apology and express my deep regret to those who suffered abuse by clergy and others in the Church, as well as to their families, and to the broader faith community that has been impacted so profoundly. Courageous survivors and their loved ones continue to generously share with me not only their deep wounds, but also their hopes for a better and safer tomorrow. I am most grateful for the opportunity to listen to their stories, celebrating with them those instances in which the Lord has helped to bring true healing to those injuries. I promise that under my watch this local Church will always remember those who have been harmed, and strive to honor their frequent request that we together work to make certain that what happened to them never happens to another.
