Diocese of Crookston Reaches $5 Million Settlement

CROOKSTON, Minn. (AP) — The Diocese of Crookston has reached a $5 million settlement with 15 people who were children when they were sexually abused by priests.

As part of the settlement, the diocese agreed to make public the names and files of clergy who have been accused of abuse. That information will be released at a later date.

Victims’ attorney Jeff Anderson said Wednesday that the settlement brings some closure for survivors and is a step in the right direction. The diocese says that while victims can never be fully compensated, it hopes the settlement can offer healing and justice.

Most of the 15 victims sued the diocese under a 2013 law that gave victims of childhood sexual abuse a three-year window to bring lawsuits against abusers.

With the settlement, the diocese avoided filing for bankruptcy.

The Diocese of Crookston includes several Catholic churches in the Lakeland viewing area in the cities of Bagley, Baudette, Bemidji, Blackduck, Kelliher, Laporte, Nevis, Park Rapids, Red Lake, Roseau, Two Inlets, Warroad, and Wilton.