Maine Archdiocese to Compensate Child Sex Abuse Victims

The Archdiocese of Portland, Maine, has settled with numerous victims of child sexual abuse perpetrated by priests over decades, local media reported. While the exact financial terms are not public, the Portland Press Herald indicated that a significant sum covers about half of the claims.

"This process has brought life-changing validation to many people, after decades of silence and institutional cover-up," said Michael Bigos, an attorney for the victims, as cited by the outlet. Other legal representatives highlighted that despite repeated requests, the diocese has not apologized to the dozens who have reported abuse.

In a letter published on the archdiocese's website last month, Bishop James Ruggieri acknowledged the "gravity of what has been reported and the lasting impact of the abuse." He stated that the funds for the settlements were previously allocated for these civil cases.

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This process has brought life-changing validation to many people, after decades of silence and institutional cover-up.

Among the claimants is Robert Dupuis, who publicly accused a priest and sued the then-bishop of Portland in 2022 for abuse he suffered at age 12. Dupuis stated he sued to encourage others, never imagining the number of claimants would reach 100. In 2007, he successfully campaigned for the city of Augusta to remove a priest's name from a local bridge after he and others accused him of abuse.

Another claimant, Keith Amato, was allegedly abused by a priest at age six, resulting in injuries requiring surgery and psychological care, according to his lawyers. The Maine legislature's 2021 removal of statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits opened the door for civil claims, prompting Dupuis's initial action. A 2005 investigation by the Maine Attorney General's Office had listed the accused priest, John Curran, among clergy "credibly accused" who had died.

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the gravity of what has been reported and the lasting impact of the abuse.