Diocese Suspends Abuse Victims' Compensation Program, Citing 'Economic Turmoil'
Among the people affected by the downturn on Wall Street are some alleged victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests.
The Diocese of Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania, identified in 2018 by the state attorney general as one of the places where clergy abuse had been especially egregious, has announced that it is suspending the processing of victim claims in response to what it calls the "economic turmoil" brought about by the coronavirus.
In February 2019, diocesan authorities in Erie launched an Independent Survivors' Reparation Program for the purpose of compensating people whose claims of abuse were substantiated. The diocese said funds for the compensation were to come from a line of credit secured by diocesan investments. Dozens of claims were subsequently filed, and by December 2019 the program was said to have cost the diocese nearly $12 million.
Most of the victim claims have been processed, but about 40 are pending. Work investigating those claims has now been suspended for at least 90 days, according to a news release from the Erie Diocese. A spokesperson for the diocese, Anne-Marie Welsh, says the suspension was forced by the diocese's investments declining "precipitously."
An independent co-administrator of the Erie compensation fund, Camille Biros, called the suspension "a temporary precautionary measure."
"We are hopeful that upon expiration of the suspension," Biros told NPR, "a decision will be made by the diocese to resume operation of this program."
The Survivors' Network of those Abused by Priests, a victim advocacy group, called the Erie move "hurtful and deceitful" and said it showed that abuse survivors should seek justice through the courts rather than through church-run progra...
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director