The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church recently announced a settlement agreement with clergy members who had sued the denomination over mishandled retirement funds. This lawsuit, involving a loss of $90 million, primarily accused the church’s former retirement services director, the Rev. Jerome Harris. The agreement, pending judicial approval, was revealed during the AME Church General Conference in Columbus, Ohio, which concluded on Wednesday. The settlement aims to resolve the class-action litigation brought by clergy affected by the loss of their retirement savings.
Settlement Details and Reactions
The agreement involves a $20 million settlement, but this is only part of the resolution, as claims against other parties will continue. William Rivera, senior vice president of litigation at AARP Foundation, expressed that this was a crucial step toward justice for the clergy who had lost significant portions of their retirement funds. The church has pledged to work toward fully restoring these funds, a commitment emphasized in its statement.
Several AME members, some of whom are still working due to financial loss, voiced hope for the church to fulfill its promise of making them financially whole. The AME General Counsel stated that the settlement represents the church’s determination to recover trust and accountability within its systems.
Leadership Changes and Accountability
Leadership changes were also announced during the General Conference. The Rev. Brian K. Blackwell was elected as the new executive director of the Department of Retirement Services following the resignation of the previous director. Calls for greater accountability persist among church members, and church leadership acknowledges the need to restore trust and ensure transparency.
“The agreement reached today demonstrates the Church’s ongoing commitment to its clergy and the determination to hold those truly responsible accountable,” Douglass P. Selby, the AME Church’s general counsel, said in the announcement. “The prayer of the Church is that this settlement, and the reforms to which the Church has committed itself, will help to close a painful chapter in the denomination’s history, and begin the path towards healing and recovery of faith and trust among its members and in the systems of the Church.”
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AME Church Announces Retirement Settlement Agreement for Defrauded Families
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