The Archdiocese of New York has accused its insurance provider, Chubb, of running a “shadow campaign” against the church, claiming it’s acting as a front for a victims’ rights group focused on sexual abuse cases.
This explosive claim of “fraud and sabotage” is included in a lawsuit the archdiocese has filed against Chubb, which is involved in defending over 1,500 allegations of child sexual abuse.
According to the complaint filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, “Newly discovered evidence” indicates that, starting in 2023, Chubb masqueraded as a group called the “Church Accountability Project” to undermine the church’s defense.
The lawsuit contests whether the responsibility to cover the costs associated with these sexual abuse cases lies with the archdiocese or with Chubb.
The archdiocese alleges that Chubb is behind the Church Responsibility Project, a site that criticizes the archdiocese and backs the victims.
The project asserts, “The archdiocese’s insurance covers accidents, not intentional concealment of a pattern of abuse.” They’ve also pointed out that Mr. Chubb has long called for transparency and accountability, while the archdiocese has supposedly withheld critical information regarding its knowledge of abuse cases.
Chubb seems to argue that excluding coverage for certain activities is essential because it discourages those who might otherwise support criminal actions rather than protecting children.
The archdiocese claims that Chubb is willingly linked to a group set on attacking it and is pursuing punitive damages over the matter.
The church’s legal team accused Mr. Chubb of betrayal, referencing the more than 1,500 claims against his insureds. They suggest that his actions amount to fraud and sabotage that warrant punitive measures.
Some sources connected to the archdiocese even suggest that Mr. Chubb is attempting to pressure the church, which serves about 2.8 million Catholics, into bankruptcy to lessen compensation payouts in abuse lawsuits.
Similar situations have already resulted in bankruptcy filings by other Catholic dioceses across the region amid abuse allegations.
Chubb, in turn, has shifted the blame back to church officials, arguing they’ve enabled decades of abuse.
A spokesperson for Chubb stated, “This filing is just a desperate attempt to delay justice and detract from the archdiocese’s long history of covering up horrific child sexual abuse.” They added that rather than take accountability, funds have been diverted to support a supposed victims’ rights organization that has not truly held the church accountable.
Chubb continued to assert that the archdiocese is more upset about the facts revealed through their platform than the abuses it has tolerated.
The company also noted issues regarding delays in payments to victims and the lack of necessary information provided to insurers.
In December, the archdiocese agreed to negotiate a settlement for 1,300 individuals who have made allegations against priests and church members concerning child sexual abuse. They are working toward raising $300 million for these compensation efforts.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan acknowledged in an open letter that past sexual abuse incidents have indeed caused shame to the church.
