Hartford Archdiocese To Pay Six-Figure Priest Abuse Settlement

In May 2021, a survivor accepted a six-figure priest abuse settlement from the Connecticut Archdiocese of Hartford. The survivor was sexually abused by a former diocesan priest and teacher. 

This settlement is one of many paid by the archdiocese in recent years.

Archdiocese Priest Sexually Abused Survivor

The allegation that led to this settlement involved the former priest Kenneth Bonadies. According to the accuser, Bonadies began sexually abusing him in 1981. The victim was 14 at the time the abuse started. The abuse continued until 1985. 

Bonadies was a priest and a teacher at East Catholic High School in Manchester, Connecticut. The victim was a student at this high school. According to the abuse survivor’s attorney, Bonadies abused the man more than 100 times over the course of four years.

Survivor Agrees To Six-Figure Settlement

Earlier this year, the male survivor reported the child sexual abuse claims to the archdiocese. In May 2021, the survivor accepted the out-of-court settlement offer. 

For this survivor, coming forward brought a sense of comfort and justice. Many priest abuse survivors who have come forward have experienced similar feelings of relief.

Speaking about the settlement, the survivor explained to the Hartford Courant, “I’m satisfied [with the settlement] in the sense that I think justice is being done. I think that’s a great thing that’s helpful for all victims.”

Apart from the settlement, the archdiocese also added Bonadies’ name to its list of credibly accused clergy members. The list now includes a total of 49 names. As more survivors come forward with their experiences, these lists of accused priests will continue to expand. 

Often, allegations brought forth by survivors have led to policy changes and greater transparency in Catholic dioceses across the country. The legal action stemming from these allegations have also led to settlements and payouts for abuse survivors.

Hartford Archdiocese Has Paid Millions In Settlements

This settlement is the latest in a series of priest abuse payouts paid by the archdiocese. In 2019, the archdiocese published financial records of abuse-related settlements. At the time, the archdiocese had paid more than $50 million to settle 142 priest abuse claims. The claims involved 32 abusive clergy members.

The Hartford Archdiocese is one of many Catholic dioceses in the country facing abuse allegations. In total, survivors have received more than $3 billion from Catholic Church settlements in the United States.