US Catholic diocese seeks to settle 1,100 child sex abuse cases
The Diocese of Brooklyn has announced a plan to resolve over 1,100 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse against its clergy and staff, furthering its commitment to addressing the profound impact of such allegations amid ongoing scrutiny of the Catholic Church’s handling of abuse claims. Bishop Robert Brennan revealed in a letter on Thursday that the diocese, which already forked out over $100 million to victim-survivors since 2017, is strategising for a “global resolution” aimed at settling these remaining cases.
Brennan assured that the diocese is setting aside significant funds for compensation, although he acknowledged that this endeavour would involve “difficult financial choices”. In his letter, he expressed a firm determination to compensate all meritorious claims fairly while highlighting the advantages of settling out of court. “The time, expense, and emotional strain” of individual trials on victim-survivors, he suggested, could be alleviated through this approach.
This latest effort marks a significant step in the diocese’s journey towards healing for the affected individuals. To meet the anticipated financial burdens of the settlements, reports indicate that the diocese may have to divest from its real estate holdings, a move expected to raise hundreds of millions of dollars.
Since launching its Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program in 2017, the diocese has compensated over 500 survivors, disbursing more than $100 million in total payouts. Bishop Brennan emphasised that these funds did not and would not come from donations by parishioners, underlining the diocese’s commitment to ensuring community contributions are not used for legal settlements.
Operating within Brooklyn and Queens, the diocese serves a congregation of 1.3 million Catholics. Most of the lawsuits stem from incidents reportedly dating back to the 1960s and 1970s, reflecting the long-term challenges faced by institutions in addressing historical abuse cases.
This move from the Diocese of Brooklyn follows closely on the heels of the Archdiocese of New York’s similar commitment. In December, they agreed to a staggering $300 million payout to 1,300 individuals claiming sexual abuse by clergy and staff members, intensifying pressures on Catholic institutions to address past abuses transparently.
RT