I recently came across an interesting observation from Patrick Schiltz regarding the problems with major sexual abuse settlements by wealthiers dioceses. He notes:
The amount of settlements agreed to by relatively wealthy dioceses, such as Boston, are going to make it more difficult for relatively poor dioceses to settle their cases.
While Boston may be able to settle for millions, and sell off a few parishes in the process, smaller diocese don't have that option.
Schiltz will be speaking in Dayton, OH for those of you in that part of the world. If you can't make it, his recent article in America, is also a good read for legal eagles with an interest in the challenges surrounding clergy sexual abuse settlements.