About 550 people have filed claims for restitution for alleged sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, the Associated Press website reports today (February 3, 2012).
The Milwaukee Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection last year, saying pending sex-abuse lawsuits could leave it with debts it could not afford.
The archdiocese has already paid more than $30 million in settlements and other court costs related to clergy abuse.
Peter Isely -- the Midwest director for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests -- said the number of filings was "extraordinary tragic." He added that it represented only a small portion of people abused by Catholic clergy.
