The Catholic diocese in Dallas, Texas, has been ordered to pay $118 million in damages to 10 former altar boys and the family of another who say a priest sexually abused them. The ruling by a civil jury in Dallas on Thursday is the biggest award in a case involving sexual abuse allegations against a priest. It is also the heaviest penalty imposed on the Catholic hierarchy for having sought to protect one of its own.
In an unusual move, the jury accompanied its verdict with a written statement read by the judge urging Catholic authorities to face up to their responsibility.
"Please admit your guilt and allow these young men to get on with their lives," it said.
The alleged victims applauded the decision.
"We asked this jury to speak to the world, and they have done that," said Mr Windle Turley, one of the families' attorneys.
"We assure all victims, including the parties in this case, that we will continue our assistance of therapy and counselling," Bishop Charles Grahmann said in a statement.
The attorney for the diocese said he would appeal the verdict.
The priest, Father Rudolph Kos (52) who is facing criminal charges, is accused of sexually abusing altar boys between 1977 and 1992.
The civil trial focused not on his alleged acts but on the church hierarchy's attitude toward the reports of abuse. Numerous witnesses said church officials ignored the warnings and the mountain of evidence brought by people who accused Father Kos of being a paedophile.
Initial reports arose in 1985. But authorities failed to act until 1992, after the first criminal complaints were filed.
"Of the cases that have gone to trial, this really goes far beyond what we've seen," said Mr Tom Economus, who heads a Chicago based group representing people victimised by priests. "It shows the entire conspiracy of the Roman Catholic Church, which goes far beyond the Dallas diocese."