Diocese Settles Abuse Claim

The Catholic Diocese of Stockton will pay nearly $4 million to settle a lawsuit related to a priest that has longstanding ties to the Mother Lode.

An altar boy alleges that he was molested by Michael Kelly in the 1980’s, and claims that the church did nothing to stop it. The diocese has agreed to pay the victim, now in his 30’s, $3.75 million. The settlement agreement was announced today by the victim’s attorneys.
Kelly recently fled the country and is now reportedly living in his native Ireland. A civil jury recently found Kelly liable for the molestation in Stockton. Kelly has continually claimed that he is innocent.

Kelly had worked at parishes in both Sonora and Big Oak Flat during the late 1980’s and 1990’s. He also spent time working in Calaveras County.