Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese Outlines Plan to Compensate Victims of Clergy Sex Abuse

By Peter Smith
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
December 13, 2018

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/faith-religion/2018/12/13/Pittsburgh-Roman-Catholic-diocese-sexual-clergy-abuse-victims-compensation-fund/stories/201812130127

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh on Thursday said victims of sexual abuse by priests could apply for compensation as soon as January under a program run by a law firm that has run similar programs for such victims in New York state dioceses.

Bishop David Zubik did not announce a dollar figure for the fund but said the diocese would pay the amounts from proceeds from past and future sales of properties. He said the diocese may sell its Downtown offices on the Boulevard of the Allies, where Thursday’s press conference announcing the fund was held.

Kenneth Feinberg and Camille Biros lead a Washington, D.C.-based team with experience administering similar funds to compensate victims sexual abuse victims in other dioceses as well as at Penn State. That experience also includes handling compensation funds for such things as the 9/11 attacks, mass shootings and the BP oil spill.

They will be representing Pittsburgh and six other Pennsylvania Catholic dioceses that have announced plans for compensation funds for victims, including those who cannot currently sue for damages because the abuse happened too long ago under the statute of limitations.

The funds come the wake of a withering state grand jury report, released in August. It said more than 300 priests, including at least 90 in Pittsburgh, were accused of sexually abusing more than 1,000 victims over seven decades in six dioceses.

In Pittsburgh, compensation will be limited to those who were sexually abused by diocesan priests or deacons, not by lay employees or members of religious orders working for the diocese. Also not eligible are victims who have already reached financial settlements with the diocese.

“It is not all about money,” Mr. Feinberg said. But for those who are found eligible and receive settlements, it validates “the legitimacy of the claim, sometimes after decades of waiting.”

The program “is completely voluntary,” Mr. Feinberg said. “No victim, no alleged victim is required to come forward.” But those who have already contacted the diocese will be notified of the plan.

People can be represented by a lawyer or file claims on their own, Mr. Feinberg and Ms. Biros said, and they can meet with the team in person if they want.