Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

From the

Official News Magazine of the Diocese of Spokane

(From the Oct. 2, 2003 edition of the Inland Register)

In keeping with Bishop Skylstad's policy of transparency and prompt reporting, the Catholic Diocese of Spokane announced Sept. 18 that it has resolved, to the satisfaction of the victim, a claim of child sexual abuse.

The claim arose out of abuse of the victim 25-30 years ago by James O’Malley (left), former priest of the Spokane Diocese. O’Malley, 84, retired in 1989 and has resided in Ireland since that time.

Resolution of the claim was reached by the diocese with the victim by payment of compensation in the amount $50,000 and a commitment to provide ongoing counseling to the victim with a qualified counselor of the victim’s choosing.

The name of the victim is withheld at the request of the victim.

This resolution is the second settlement of an abuse claim reported by the Diocese in the last 30 days.

O’Malley was ordained June 2, 1946. He was an assistant pastor at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, Spokane, and Our Lady of the Rosary, Chewelah, before serving as pastor in Newport, Chewelah, Rosalia, and Oakesdale, as well as St. John Vianney and St. Paschal in Spokane.