Pope names successor for embattled New Orleans archbishop after sex abuse settlement

"Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday named an eventual successor to New Orleans' embattled Catholic archbishop, Gregory Aymond, two weeks after his archdiocese agreed to settle with survivors of clergy sexual abuse for $230m. Leo, history's first US pope, named bishop James Checchio of Metuchen, New Jersey, as the coadjutor bishop of New Orleans. The role positions Checchio to assist Aymond initially and then succeed him when he retires."

"Checchio, 59, handled the fallout in Metuchen of the explosive 2018 sexual misconduct revelations of one of his predecessors there, Theodore McCarrick. Prior to arriving in Metuchen in 2016, Checchio had served as the rector of the US seminary in Rome for a decade. Aymond reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 last November, suggesting that the Vatican kept him in place to finalize the abuse settlement and allow for an organized handover to his successor."

"The New Orleans archdiocese agreed on 8 September to a $230m proposed settlement to end one of the US church's longest and most contentious battles over abuse claims. It had proposed in May to pay at least $179.2m in response to more than 500 abuse claims, but victims' attorneys opposed the deal as too low. Survivors have until late October to vote on whether or not to approve the revised settlement. If approved by two-thirds of survivors, payments could begin disbursement by next year."

James Checchio was appointed coadjutor bishop of New Orleans and will assist and later succeed Archbishop Gregory Aymond, who reached mandatory retirement at 75 last November. Checchio, 59, previously managed fallout in Metuchen from revelations about Theodore McCarrick and served a decade as rector of the US seminary in Rome. The New Orleans archdiocese reached a proposed $230 million settlement to resolve more than 500 clergy sexual-abuse claims, up from an earlier $179.2 million offer. Survivors have until late October to vote on the revised settlement; approval by two-thirds would allow disbursements potentially beginning next year. The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in May 2020 and the insurer Travelers has so far held out against settling, which could increase the total if it contributes.

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