CV NEWS FEED // After reaching a $150 million settlement with clergy sexual abuse victims, the Diocese of Buffalo, New York, has begun meeting with its priests to discuss how to repay the victims, according to a local news source.
7 WKBW, a Buffalo affiliate of ABC, reported May 15 that in the coming weeks the diocese will also meet with the lay leaders of local parishes to discuss progress and each parish’s contribution.
The diocese on April 22 announced the settlement, which was made in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Western District of New York with the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors.
“This settlement in principle between the Committee and the Diocese represents an essential milestone on this protracted and arduous journey, and importantly, enables us to finally provide a measure of financial restitution to victim-survivors, which has been our primary objective all along,” Bishop Michael W. Fisher explained. “While indeed a steep sum, no amount of money can undo the tremendous harm and suffering the victim survivors have endured, or eliminate the lingering mental, emotional, and spiritual pain they have been forced to carry throughout their lives.”
The announcement states that the diocese’s unrestricted funds, contributions of Catholic entities, and undetermined amounts from individual parish’s unrestricted funds. The settlement does not include contributions from insurance companies.
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