Archbishop Gregory Aymond took the witness stand Thursday in the federal bankruptcy court, defending his decision five years ago to place the local church under bankruptcy protection and arguing that a $230 million settlement is the fairest way to compensate hundreds of clergy sex abuse survivors.

During more than an hour of testimony, Aymond also vowed to uphold new child protection measures designed to guard against future clergy abuse and apologized to abuse survivors on behalf of the nation’s second-oldest Roman Catholic diocese.

“I know you have been through a lot of pain,” Aymond said. “It is unfortunate and embarrassing for me as a priest to think that someone in a trusted position, like a priest or minister, would take advantage of someone sexually. So, my heartfelt apology t

See Full Page