New York archdiocese sets up compensation fund for abuse victims

October 06, 2016

The Archdiocese of New York has announced plans to provide compensation for all victims of clerical abuse, regardless of when the abuse occurred. The compensation fund provides victims with an alternative to lawsuits against the archdiocese.

The compensation fund will allow any abuse victim to enter a claim. Awards will be granted by an independent board. The program will be administered by Kenneth Feinberg, who gained recognition as a mediator by supervising compensation for victims of the September 11 terrorist attack in New York. The archdiocese has already begun reaching out to abuse victims, letting them know that the program will be in place within weeks.

“The program we are establishing today will, please God, help bring a measure of peace and healing to those who have suffered abuse by a member of the clergy of this archdiocese,” said New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

With the New York state legislature currently weighing a proposal to extend the statute of limitations for sex-abuse cases, the archdiocesan program allows for victims to receive compensation without any change in law.

 

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Further information:

• Archdiocese of New York to Compensate Clergy Abuse Survivors: Cardinal Dolan (NBC)
• NY archdiocese offers compensation program for abuse victims (AP)