The Diocese of Norwich, in the state of Connecticut (United States), has announced an agreement for victims of sexual abuse of some members of the clergy, part of the current bankruptcy process, which the diocese began several years ago.
In one joint declarationthe diocese, together with a committee of victims of abuse and the Catholic Mutual Relief Society of Americathey said they had reached “an agreement on a compensation fund of $ 31 million”, which will allow “a significant recovery for survivors of sexual abuse and for the diocese to leave bankruptcy and continue its mission.”
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Norwich’s diocese It declared bankruptcy in 2021and then Bishop Michael Côté declared that bankruptcy “would centralize all litigation and supervise an agreement that guarantees that all survivors are included and treated fairly.”
Hartford’s archbishop, Mons. Christopher Coyne, who has served as Norwich apostolic administrator since Côté’s retirement in September, acknowledged last week that “the deep pain and suffering endured by survivors can never be cured with financial compensation “But he said that the diocese is” committed to making some amendments through this process. “
“The Diocese of Norwich has always sought a plan that addresses the needs of the survivors, and we believe that this plan does exactly that,” Coyne said.
Stephen Kindset, a lawyer who represents the victims of abuse in the processes, said the fund “represents a significant and substantial step towards justice and healing for survivors.”
“We fight a lot to maximize compensation for survivors and we believe that this plan achieves that goal,” said the lawyer.
According to the proposalthe funds will include 2.7 million diocesan parishes; 5.3 million Catholic Mutual Relief and around 6.5 million of the sale of the old St. Bernard school in Montville.
The plan is still subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The audience is expected to be held in the northern spring, which will begin on March 20.
Norwich recently received a new bishop when Pope Francis announced that Monsignor Richard Reidy, currently Vicar General of the Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, would direct the Diocese of Connecticut.
Coyne told the media last week that he was “sure that (Reidy) will be an excellent shepherd for the people of the diocese.”
Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA
Daniel Payne
Daniel Payne is a senior editor of Catholic News Agency. He previously worked at College Fix and Just the News. He lives in Virginia with his family.