Brooklyn Diocese Settles Child Abuse Claims
The Diocese of Brooklyn has reached a “global” settlement aimed at compensating around 1,100 individuals who have alleged sexual abuse by priests and staff. This settlement is anticipated to amount to hundreds of millions of dollars.
Most of the claims, about 90%, stem from incidents that occurred over 50 years ago, particularly during the 1960s and 70s. This settlement will exert significant financial pressure on the diocese, which may need to sell properties to cover the claims.
Bishop Robert Brennan, in a letter addressing parishioners, expressed that the diocese is allocating considerable resources to manage costs and ensure fair compensation for victims. He acknowledged that raising funds for this settlement involves tough financial decisions but reaffirmed the diocese’s commitment to address valid claims fairly.
The diocese previously initiated an Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program in 2017, which has already disbursed over $100 million to more than 500 survivors. Brennan emphasized that these payments were not sourced from congregational donations.
To clarify, he stated, “The funds used for these settlements, and any future settlements, do not and will not come from donations to the diocese.” The diocese, which also includes Queens, serves about 1.3 million Catholic individuals.
Brennan further mentioned their intention to settle claims efficiently to mitigate the emotional toll on the victims that could arise from lengthy trials. He extended prayers for the victims and their families as the resolution process unfolds.
In a related note, last December, the Archdiocese of New York initiated discussions for a settlement to support 1,300 individuals alleging abuse, with plans to allocate $300 million for related costs.
The Archdiocese of New York, which encompasses Manhattan, Staten Island, the Bronx, and northern suburbs, is currently involved in legal disputes with the insurance company Chubb regarding compensation for abuse victims.
Furthermore, the Diocese of Brooklyn has commenced the settlement dialogue by engaging with leading attorneys representing the victims. They are also utilizing the services of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Anderson Kill PC, and Alvarez & Marsal for legal and financial guidance.
To facilitate the resolution, the parties have chosen former Los Angeles judge Daniel Buckley and attorney Paul Finn as neutral mediators. Buckley has previously mediated settlements for sexual abuse cases against the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and recently addressed similar cases involving the Archdiocese of New York. Finn has extensive experience mediating sexual abuse lawsuits involving the Archdioceses of both Boston and Milwaukee.
In New York, the Child Victims Act, enacted in 2019, permits survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits until they reach 55 years of age. It also provided a one-year window for victims of any age to file claims for abuse that occurred in the past.
Other dioceses across New York, such as Albany, Rockville Center, and Rochester, have sought bankruptcy protection in light of similar abuse claims.
