In a nearly unanimous vote, hundreds of victims of child sexual abuse by clergy and other church creditors approved a $230m bankruptcy settlement with the Roman Catholic archdiocese of New Orleans by a midnight deadline on Thursday.
The archdiocese reported in a court filing on Thursday morning that the deal was accepted by a staggering 99.63% of creditors, excluding a small group of bond investors who voted against it while suing the church and alleging it committed securities fraud.
The church did not report the total number of votes cast but said “hundreds of survivors voted overwhelmingly to accept the plan”, which will dole out payments to victims of abuse based on points assigned for the severity and effects of the abuse – and includes agreements to release files on abusive priests and deacons and set up stronger protections for children and vulnerable adults.
The church has previously reported that more than 600 abuse survivors have filed eligible claims, but it is rare for every claimant to vote on a final settlement plan. Still, even if all of them cast votes, a 99.63% approval rate would mean only two of them voted against the plan.