Insurer sued by Boston Archdiocese ... files countersuit...

[MaineDem]

Insurer sued by Boston Archdiocese church files countersuit, argues crimes not covered

BOSTON, April 29 — An insurer that was accused by the Archdiocese of Boston of failing to cover payments to priest abuse victims filed a countersuit, saying its insurance policy was not meant to cover damages resulting from crimes.

Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co. insisted in a court filing Wednesday that its policy covering the Roman Catholic archdiocese was for accidental injuries, not ''intentional criminal conduct of priests who committed acts of sexual abuse against minors.''

The counterclaim was filed U.S. District Court.

A member of the Kemper Insurance Cos. of Illinois, Lumbermens says the archdiocese should be forced to reimburse the company for sums it had already paid to settle complaints filed by victims of clergy sexual abuse.

http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/ap04-29-052019.asp?t=apnew&vts=42920040529

[MichaelHarris]

1. you know

they should set up a fund like the tobacco companies did to pay off all the claims against the church. It'll probably be easier that way.

[richmwill]

2. Here we go

Oh boy- here come the wicker baskets, jumbo-sized. "PLEASE support our Archdiocese!!! We need to pay a large bill for a simple mistake that we made. Please help us pay it. Remember- if you're not putting at least 10% of your salary in there, you're stealing from God"

[Gothmog]

3. It is hard for Churches and Synagogues to get insurance

for sexual harassment or sex related offenses. My Temple was basically without coverage last year for sexual misconduct liability. The argument is that the Catholic Church has lied and covered up the extent of the problem and therefore the insurance carries have a defense to coverage.