The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans appears to have erased the final serious threat to its $230 million clergy abuse settlement by striking an agreement with bond holders who had accused the church of committing securities fraud during its bankruptcy protection case.

The deal announced in court records Tuesday appears to clear the way for US Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Grabill to approve a related agreement to conclude the church’s bankruptcy by the end of the year. Archbishop Gregory Aymond celebrated it in a statement, saying in part, “This is a matter of justice. We must pay our debts. I believe this is the just way to move forward for the good of survivors and the local church.”

Complete details of the agreement weren’t immediately available Tuesday, but sources with knowledg

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