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

Church puts up $50m to increase amount it can guarantee in attempt to appease a sizable bloc of clergy abuse victims

Just as the Roman Catholic archdiocese of New Orleans was beginning to ask victims of clergy sexual abuse to approve a settlement plan to pay them at least $180m, the church bumped up its offer to a minimum of $230m.

Survivors also retain the chance to pursue additional amounts from the archdiocese’s largest insurer, Travelers, which has held out against a settlement. But 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 settlement.