A new program announced Wednesday by The Diocese of Syracuse aims to provide financial compensation to victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. Bishop Robert Cunningham says the adoption of the program in Syracuse follows the success of similar programs at other New York dioceses.
We know and we acknowledge that we cannot reverse the damage that has been done in the past, but our hope is that this new effort will provide an opportunity to seek forgiveness and perhaps bring a sense of healing to some. The early phase of the program will focus on the 76 individuals who have made claims in the past, but received no satisfactory response.
Cunningham says the program is strictly about compensation for the victims, not about taking action against priests. Feinberg says the program will remain purely voluntary to account for victims who, for a variety of reasons, may not want to come forward. In the area of sexual abuse of minors years and years ago, we find that more than occasionally, the victim does not want to submit a claim.
Through the years I met with many victims, I've listened to their stories, I've empathized with them, sympathized with them and knew that we had to do more. And while counseling and spiritual direction and assistance has been offered in the past, we felt that this was a time to move forward. Victims who made claims of sexual abuse to the Diocese of Syracuse prior to February 14, will have until May 16 to apply for their compensation. Claims submitted after Wednesday will not be accepted during this phase of the compensation program.
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