The Diocese of Davenport, Iowa, has emerged from bankruptcy after following through with plans to pay $37 million to dozens of people who said they were sexually abused by priests and change policies to prevent future cases, the Associated Press reported on Friday. Bankruptcy Judge Lee Jackwig last week closed the bankruptcy case, saying that the diocese has substantially completed the terms of a reorganization plan and settlement approved in 2008. The plan called for the diocese to pay $17.5 million to up to 162 victims of abuse, and its insurer to pay an additional $19.5 million. The diocese also had to take several steps to prevent sexual abuse, investigate claims and apologize to victims. One of the most visible parts of the settlement has been an online list of credible claims of abuse by priests, which lists more than 30 cases and stretches back to the 1940s.
