Administrators Announce Implementation of the Archdiocese of New York Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (“ircp”)

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
October 6, 2016

https://www.nyarchdiocese-ircpsettlementprogram.com/ords/m_453841_0001/f?p=NYARCH:PAGE-HOME::::::

Compensation of Certain Individual Claims of Clergy Sexual Abuse of Minors Previously Submitted to the Archdiocese of New York (Phase I)

An Independent Compensation Program to pay victims of clergy sexual abuse of minors was announced today by Kenneth R. Feinberg, Administrator of the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program of the Archdiocese of New York, (“IRCP”). At a Press Conference held at the Catholic Center of the New York Archdiocese, Mr. Feinberg stated that “as we begin this assignment, we are pleased to work with His Eminence, Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the distinguished members of the IRCP Independent Oversight Committee. We hope the Program will be successful and that victims will come forward in a timely fashion to participate in the Program.”

Administrators, Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille Biros, explained the most important features of the Reconciliation and Compensation Program:

The Program is purely voluntary; no individual is required to participate in the Program. Only if the individual is satisfied with the compensation provided does the individual agree to waive rights to litigate against the New York Archdiocese.

The Program is limited in scope to those individuals who previously submitted a complaint of sexual abuse of minors to the New York Archdiocese. Individuals who allege clergy sexual abuse, but have not previously complained to the Archdiocese, will have an opportunity to seek compensation next year during Phase II of this Program. These individuals may register immediately with the Program at this time, providing their names, contact information and a summary description of the nature of the claim, including the dates, time, location of the alleged abuse and the name of the alleged perpetrator.

Mr. Feinberg and Ms. Biros retain complete and sole discretion over all compensation awards to eligible victims, including eligibility to participate in the Program and the amounts of compensation. By agreement, the Archdiocese cannot reject the Administrators’ final determinations as to eligibility and amount of compensation. The Independent Oversight Committee will oversee the implementation and administration of the IRCP.

The Program has no aggregate cap; the Archdiocese has agreed to pay what the Administrators deem appropriate in each and every individual case.

Individuals filing a claim with the Administrators will be required to offer proof of such sexual abuse.

Individuals who previously settled their sexual abuse claims with the Archdiocese will not be permitted to participate in the Program.

Individuals who allege sexual abuse as a minor by a member of a religious order or clergy of another diocese are not eligible to participate in the Program although the claims will be forwarded to the superior of the religious order or bishop of such diocese

Eligible claims will be paid within 60 days from the time that a submitted claim is deemed eligible and compensation is determined.

The effective date of the Program is October 6, 2016. All claims submitted to the Administrators must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2017.