YORK (PA)
York Daily Record
November 8, 2018
By Candy Woodall
This could be a big help for people who can’t wait for a lengthy court case or cannot emotionally endure that. But it restricts access to information that could help prevent more abuse.
People who were sexually abused by priests as children have a new avenue for justice in settlement funds being set up by Roman Catholic Dioceses in Pennsylvania, but taking the money now means they can never sue the church in court.
The Survivors’ Compensation Program will begin providing financial resources and other assistance to abuse survivors in January, according to Harrisburg diocese spokesman Mike Barley.
It’s unclear how much money will be in the fund or how many people will be helped.
Information for how to apply for funds will be shared by the lawyers overseeing the fund, Kenneth Feinberg and Camille Biros. Feinberg previously administered a victims’ fund for the Archdiocese of New York, the 9/11 Victim Compensation fund and others.
The Archdiocese of New York paid about $40 million to 189 victims of clergy sex abuse victims, according to an Associated Press report in December 2017.
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