2007年VOA标准英语-US Court Approves $660 Million Settlement in Cl

By Mike O'Sullivan
Los Angeles
17 July 2007

A judge has approved a $660 million settlement between more than 500 alleged¹ victims of clergy² abuse and the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. VOA's Mike O'Sullivan reports, the landmark³ agreement follows four-and-a-half years of negotiations⁴.

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Judge admonishes people in the audience to stop heckling at Los Angeles court where $660 million settlement approved between Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles and more than 500 alleged victims of clergy abuse, 16 July 2007

It is the largest payout by any U.S. Catholic diocese since the clergy abuse scandal erupted in Boston in 2002. As part of the settlement, Los Angeles church officials will release the personnel records of the accused priests, after a judge reviews them.

Some of the cases date back to the 1940s, and the agreement amounts to $1.3 million for each plaintiff. Lawyers will receive up to 40 percent of the settlement for their legal fees.

"Far more important than the money, though, is a critical term of this settlement, [which] provides for transparency, for sunshine, and for the release of the confidential⁶ files and personnel records of the priests that were involved in molesting⁷ so many children over the last five or so decades," said Ray Boucher, lead attorney for the plaintiffs.

Cardinal⁸ Roger Mahony, who heads the archdiocese, sat quietly through Monday's hearing. Sunday, he apologized to the victims.

"It should not have happened, and should not ever happen again," he said.

Some angry plaintiffs say the church agreed to a settlement only as the trial date was approaching. The first case was scheduled to start this week.

The cost of the settlement will be divided among the archdiocese, insurance companies and several Catholic religious orders. Cardinal Mahony says the archdiocese will sell some property, including its headquarters, but will not close parish churches or parochial schools.

Abuse cases around the United States have cost the Catholic Church more than $2 billion.

1 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

2 clergy   

n.[总称]牧师，神职人员

参考例句：

• I could heartily wish that more of our country clergy would follow this example.我衷心希望，我国有更多的牧师效法这个榜样。
• All the local clergy attended the ceremony.当地所有的牧师出席了仪式。

3 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

4 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

5 admonishes   

n.劝告( admonish的名词复数 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责v.劝告( admonish的第三人称单数 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责

参考例句：

• His bodily form, erect and looking heavenwards, admonishes him to mind the things that are above. 他躯体的形态，直立和仰向苍天，告诫他应思考天上的事物。 来自辞典例句
• The tentacle may and be only a pseudomorph, unbearable admonishes Italy. 触手可及只是假象、咫尺天涯才是箴意。 来自互联网

6 confidential   

adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的

参考例句：

• He refused to allow his secretary to handle confidential letters.他不让秘书处理机密文件。
• We have a confidential exchange of views.我们推心置腹地交换意见。

7 molesting   

v.骚扰( molest的现在分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵

参考例句：

• He was accused of sexually molesting a female colleague. 他被指控对一位女同事进行性骚扰。 来自辞典例句
• He was charged with molesting a woman. 他被指控调戏妇女。 来自辞典例句

8 cardinal   

n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的

参考例句：

• This is a matter of cardinal significance.这是非常重要的事。
• The Cardinal coloured with vexation. 红衣主教感到恼火，脸涨得通红。