IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport will unveil a monument next month that is dedicated to the dozens of men and women who were sexually molested by eastern Iowa priests in the last 50 years. Bishop William Franklin will lead the blessing on June 20th of the Millstone Marker. Church officials say it's a symbol intended to show respect for the victims and promote healing in the wake of a scandal that roiled the diocese and its parishioners for the last three years. The marker was created as part of the settlement reached with abuse victims last fall. As part of the deal, reached days before the start of the first of more than a dozen trials involving former priests, the diocese agreed to pay nine-(m)-million-dollars to 37 victims and take other steps to reform policy for reporting abuse and address past abuse. The marker will include two inscriptions, including a biblical verse. The dedication ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m. June 20th at the Davenport Diocesan Pastoral Center.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)