An Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program to pay victims of alleged clergy sexual abuse of minors (the “IRCP”) was announced today by Bishop Robert J. Cunningham of the Diocese of Syracuse, New York (the “Diocese”). Read Press Release

• The Diocese has engaged Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille Biros (the “Administrators”) to design, implement and administer a program for the submission, evaluation, and settlement of individual claims of sexual abuse of a minor reported to the Diocese prior to February 14, 2018.
• The Diocese of Syracuse (the “Diocese”) IRCP is modeled after the successful programs of the Archdiocese of NY, the Diocese of Brooklyn, NY, and the Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY. All three of these programs are administered by Mr. Feinberg and Ms. Biros.
• The IRCP is purely voluntary; no individual is required to participate in the program. An individual only waives rights to litigate against the Diocese if the individual is satisfied with the compensation provided and signs a release of liability.
• The Diocese has already begun reaching out to victims who have previously notified the Diocese that they suffered abuse as a minor by a member of the clergy of the Diocese in order to invite them to participate in the IRCP.
• Mr. Feinberg and Ms. Biros retain complete and sole discretion over all eligibility decisions and the settlement compensation amounts for eligible victims. By agreement, the Diocese cannot reject the Administrators’ final determinations as to eligibility and amount of compensation.
• The program is limited in scope to those individuals who submitted a report of sexual abuse of a minor to the Diocese prior to February 14, 2018. Claims not previously reported to the Diocese are not eligible for participation in the IRCP at this time. At the conclusion of the IRCP, a decision will be made as to whether or not the program will be expanded to include any newly received complaints.
• The effective date of the IRCP is February 14, 2018. All claims must be submitted to the Administrators by May 16, 2018.