Texas Catholic diocese settles with abuse victims

The Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth in Texas said that it had reached a settlement for an undisclosed sum of money with 11 men who said they had been sexually abused by a local priest.

The Catholic Church in the United States has been shaken by sexual abuse scandals that have come to light since 2002 and hundreds of charges have been laid against Catholic priests and bishops accused of covering up their activities.

"At the request of the 11 victims, the diocese will not disclose the identities of the victims, details of the settlement, nor the amount of the settlements," the Fort Worth diocese said in a statement.

Local media reported that the priest in question died in 1999 and that all of his accusers were former altar boys.

"I want to apologise publicly and say here and now how sorry I am for what each of you have been through, which affects your lives and your families to this day.

I am appalled, ashamed, and angered that any priest acted in this way," Bishop Kevin Vann said in the statement.