Portland, Ore., Dec 7, 2009 / 18:09 pm
As the bankruptcy case of the Society of Jesus’ Oregon Province proceeds, more than 500 people have filed claims accusing Jesuits of the of sexual abuse in the northwest U.S.
Plaintiffs include Native Alaskan villagers abused as children and preparatory school students, the Spokane Spokesman-Review reports.
The filing deadline of Nov. 30 was set by the federal judge overseeing the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of the Oregon Province, which includes Jesuits in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.
The Oregon Province has already settled 200 additional sex abuse claims, including 110 Alaska Natives who received a $50 million settlement last year. About $45 million of that settlement was paid by insurers.