As of the Aug. 15 deadline, 272 sexual abuse claims had been filed against the Archdiocese of Agana.

Attorney John Terlaje, who represents the archdiocese, announced the final tally during a joint status hearing held on Friday at the District Court of Guam before Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood and Superior Court Judge Michael Bordallo.

The damages claimed in the lawsuits against the Catholic Church of Guam exceed $1 billion. In order to settle claims against it, the church has sold off millions of dollars in assets and has sought bankruptcy protection in federal court.

The 272 lawsuits filed against the church by Friday's deadline are all tied to that bankruptcy. Mediation for those cases is scheduled for late October. Former Archbishop Anthony Apuron has been named as the alleged abuser in some of the cases.

Settlement discussions for other cases in the sex-abuse scandal – filed, for example, against the Boy Scouts of America and the Capuchin Franciscans – remain on hold.

During Friday's hearing, Tydingco-Gatewood granted another extension to "stay" or hold off on the settlement discussions. Parties asked that the extension be continued until after mediation concludes, possibly in late September.

Attorney Delia Lujan-Wolff, who represents a number of plaintiffs, told the court the parties are scheduled to speak with mediators on Tuesday to find out their next steps.

Tydingco-Gatewood also set a deadline for Aug. 22 for parties to respond to an order that would have U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Faris of Honolulu help with the pending settlement involving the Catholic Church.

Another joint status hearing was set for Sept. 27.