Diocese, Alleged Abuse Victims Head to Mediation
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena will attempt to mediate a settlement to claims that priests and nuns sexually abused about 250 people as children in western Montana.
Attorneys for the diocese and for the plaintiffs asked District Judge Jeffrey Sherlock of Helena last week to temporarily halt court proceedings.
They plan to interview the alleged victims individually to determine the validity of their claims. The diocese also has pledged to open its financial records and share its files on accused priests with the plaintiffs' attorneys.
Plaintiffs' attorney Tim Kosnoff calls the diocese's transparency unprecedented.
The plaintiffs' attorney in a second lawsuit, Blaine Tamaki, says it's too early to tell whether the mediation will be successful.
The mediation process is expected to last until the end of the year.
More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM
![Every City/Town in Montana Listed By Population](http://townsquare.media/site/117/files/2021/12/attachment-Untitled-design-2021-12-14T155901.324.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Montana Attorney General Names New Highway Patrol Colonel](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/04/attachment-featured-image-2024-04-02T135400.755.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Montana Supreme Court hears Smith River Mine case in Missoula](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/04/attachment-attachment-supreme-court.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Retiring Montana Highway Patrol Spokesman Takes New Post](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/03/attachment-featured-image-48.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Montana’s First FBI Citizens Academy Comes This Summer](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/03/attachment-featured-image-2024-03-19T145237.748.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Man Arrested for Trying to Meet a 13-Year-Old Girl Who was an Undercover Officer](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2021/07/attachment-jette.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Missoula Crime Report: Man Left Two Dogs in His Hot Car and Held Another’s Head Under Water](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2021/07/attachment-RS41081_GettyImages-1160535824-scr1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Montana Morning State News Headlines for Monday, June 7](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2021/06/Microphone-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![A Pregnant Woman and a Child Were Victimized This Week in Missoula](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2018/10/Missoula-County-Courthouse.jpg?w=980&q=75)