Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Tom Abood, chairman of the archdiocese’s reorganization task force after a U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved a settlement that includes $210 million for victims of clergy sex abuse Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Minneapolis. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has approved a reorganization plan for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis that will compensate victims of clergy sex abuse. (Shari L. Gross/Star Tribune via AP)
Archbishop Bernard Hebda speaks to a woman after a U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved a settlement that includes $210 million for victims of clergy sex abuse Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Minneapolis. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has approved a reorganization plan for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis that will compensate victims of clergy sex abuse. Hundreds of victims voted overwhelmingly in favor of the plan. (Shari L. Gross/Star Tribune via AP)
Archbishop Bernard Hebda, left, and clergy abuse survivor Jamie Heutmaker shook hands after a U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved a settlement plan that includes $210 million for victims of clergy sex abuse Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Minneapolis. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has approved a reorganization plan for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis that will compensate victims of clergy sex abuse. Hundreds of victims voted overwhelmingly in favor of the plan. (Shari L. Gross/Star Tribune via AP)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has approved a reorganization plan for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis that will compensate victims of clergy sex abuse.
Judge Robert Kressel approved the $210 million settlement Tuesday. Hundreds of victims voted overwhelmingly in favor of the plan.
Attorney Jeff Anderson, who represented many of the victims, praised the survivors, saying their courage means children are safer.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda apologized in court. Hebda says he hopes the resolution “brings some measure of justice” to victims.
The settlement was reached in May. Proceeds will be disbursed after each claim is reviewed.
The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in 2015, two years after the Minnesota Legislature opened a three-year window that allowed people who had been sexually abused in the past to sue for damages.