RICHMOND (VA)
Diocese of Richmond
October 13, 2020
Overview
On February 17, 2020, the Catholic Diocese of Richmond announced the establishment of a voluntary Independent Reconciliation Program to offer assistance to and facilitate healing for individuals who, as minors, experienced sexual abuse by its clergy. Bishop Barry C. Knestout directed the formation of the Program to offer another means of support beyond the diocese’s current outreach offerings, and to provide an opportunity for eligible individuals who were victims of clergy sexual abuse to receive a monetary payment in a manner that is compassionate.
Recognizing that no amount of money will ever be able to fully compensate for the injury inflicted by abusive clergy, Bishop Knestout announced the Independent Reconciliation Program as one of many means to offer individuals a tangible sign of the Church’s effort to repair the injury and overcome the estrangement caused by clergy sexual abuse of minors.
The Independent Reconciliation Claims Administrator
The Diocese of Richmond secured the services of BrownGreer, PLC, a Richmond-based and nationally recognized firm specializing in claims administration. Lynn Crowder Greer, who designed and administered the Program for the Diocese of Richmond, and her firm are well-known for their reputation as an objective and fair claims administrator, and for their handling of complex and large claims resolution programs. These programs have included: the NFL Concussion Settlement Program; the BP Oil Spill Program; the One October Settlement Fund for victims of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting; and the Fire Victims Trust arising from the PG&E’s bankruptcy for those suffering personal or property damages from the California wildfires.
The Independent Reconciliation Process
The Program was designed to be purely voluntary and no individual was obligated to participate. Individuals who were victims of child sexual abuse by a member of the clergy serving in the Diocese of Richmond were eligible for the Program.
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