Church Abuse Victims to Vote Soon on Reorganization Plan

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ Hundreds of victims of clergy sexual abuse will likely vote this month on a reorganization plan for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis that will compensate them for the abuse.

According to a timetable laid out Thursday at a federal bankruptcy court hearing, some 450 victims will begin to vote Aug. 21, pending judicial approval. Reports say if the plan is endorsed it would go to the judge overseeing the bankruptcy in late September. Then it would be determined how much money each victim gets.

The tentative settlement reached in May provides about $210 million to compensate abuse victims. All victims would receive at least $50,000, with greater compensation depending on the nature, duration and effects of the abuse suffered.

Approval is expected since victims helped develop the plan.