San Francisco Archdiocese agrees to pay $395 million to settle hundreds of sex abuse lawsuits

The San Francisco Archdiocese has agreed to pay $395 million to settle hundreds of lawsuits brought by people who say they were sexually abused by clergy and other church employees when the plaintiffs were children. 

The Archdiocese also agreed, as part of the settlement, to implement child protection and transparency reforms, NBC News reported. 

The plaintiffs' attorneys said in their announcement of the settlement that it would resolve approximately 530 claims filed after California temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse lawsuits. 

Three years ago, the Archdiocese sought bankruptcy protection. 

“The entire Catholic family is called to unite and share in the work of making amends through this proposed settlement. We have a moral obligation to bring some level of healing and reconciliation to those who deserve our unwavering respect, attention and prayers," Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone said in a statement. 

The settlement allows plaintiffs to continue pursuing claims against some of the Archdiocese's insurers.