NEW YORK
NY1
[with video]
NEW YORK – Cardinal Timothy Dolan on Thursday unveiled a program aimed at helping victims of sex abuse in the Catholic Church.
The Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program will provide funds for victims abused by priests within the archdiocese.
Over the past 40 years there have been about 200 victims and 40 priests involved in sexual abuse claims.
Cardinal Dolan says the program is another step in reforming the Church.
“The survivors tells us that while it’s not all about money, a tangible sign of the church’s outreach and sense of reparation would indeed be helpful,” Dolan said.
“I’m certainly honored to support in any way I can the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program as they seek to move forward to bring justice and restitution to those who were abused,” said IRCP Oversight Committee Member and former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.
The advocacy group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests or SNAP blasted Thursday’s announcement saying, “It’s too little, too late and designed to mollify lawmakers and others who feel justice should be dispensed by objective parties – like judges and juries – instead of by self-serving Catholic officials who are concealing heinous crimes.”
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