Richmond Diocese Pays Abuse Victims to Never Sue

By Bradley Eli, M.Div., Ma.Th
ChurchMilitant.com
February 19, 2020

https://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/richmond-diocese-pays-abuse-victims-to-not-sue

Victims advocate: 'They'll lose their right to have their day in court'

The diocese of Richmond, Virginia is agreeing to compensate childhood victims of clergy sexual abuse but only if they agree to never sue the diocese.

On Monday, the diocese headed by Bp. Barry Knestout launched its "Independent Reconciliation Program" (program). A protocol of the program stipulates that a victim or "claimant" in signing the agreement or "release" forever surrenders the right to have the abuse case publically litigated in court.