A federal judge will decide next August whether to approve a bankruptcy reorganization plan for the Catholic Diocese of Great Falls-Billings. It will include a $20 million settlement for sexual abuse victims.

The diocese reached made an agreement last month with the attorneys for over 80 people who said they were abused as children by clergy. They were employed by the diocese, which covers eastern Montana.

Bankruptcy Judge Jim Pappas set  Aug. 14 for a hearing in Butte to confirm the reorganization plan. Plaintiffs' attorneys Craig Vernon and James Leander said yesterday that the diocese's creditors will vote on the plan before the hearing. The judge will make a final ruling at the hearing.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

 

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