Priest Abuse Cases and Restitution

[utunumsint]

Hi,

Locally, there have been a couple of well known priest sex abusers from the 60s and 70s who were apprehended long ago. Victims are going after the arch diocese for compensation based on the lack of response from the diocese and even attempts at cover up.

The archdiocese I am a part of has payed out nearly a million in compensation over the years to various victims.

I find it hard to understand why it is that the archdioces as a whole has to pay? If there was a cover up, was it not the responsibility of the bishop and those involved in the cover up to face charges and pay compensation?

I guess I find it difficult to accept that money I pay in donations to my local church is being used to pay for the sins of some priests and their bishops for events that happened over 40 or 50 years ago.

I say this without any desire of minimizing the pain and suffering that the victims of abuse endured…

God bless,
Ut

 

[Cheiron]

This is a purely legal question. I’m not a lawyer, but I guess it has something to do with the child abuse happening within the legal framework of the diocese. The children were often abused in buildings owned by the diocese and the abuse was caused and covered up by employees of the diocese.

When Jerry Sandusky abused children, the victims sued both Sandusky and Penn State University, because the university, as an organisation, is responsible for the behaviour of its employees when they’re on duty and on the university premises. Penn State has the duty to protect their students. I think something similar applies to the diocese.

But I’m no lawyer, so perhaps someone else might be able to answer this question better than I can.

 

[Padres1969]

This is a purely legal question. I’m not a lawyer, but I guess it has something to do with the child abuse happening within the legal framework of the diocese. The children were often abused in buildings owned by the diocese and the abuse was caused and covered up by employees of the diocese.

When Jerry Sandusky abused children, the victims sued both Sandusky and Penn State University, because the university, as an organisation, is responsible for the behaviour of its employees when they’re on duty and on the university premises. Penn State has the duty to protect their students. I think something similar applies to the diocese.

But I’m no lawyer, so perhaps someone else might be able to answer this question better than I can.

Not a lawyer either but I believe your reasoning is sound. Plus typically in the legal field, you sue those with the most money who is/may be liable. Yes the priests themselves were the primary bad actors, but what good would winning a lawsuit against a priest do for those filing suit? It would be a moral victory only and wouldn’t amount to much of any monetary compensation for their pain and suffering. The diocese, with it’s much larger financial resources and likely liability in the matter is a much more appealing target for suit.

 

[Rosebud77]

Here in Ireland the saga goes on. Given that the Mercy Srs here hav E1.8 billion in assets?

independent.ie/irish-news/courts/orders-paid-sixth-of-bill-for-childrens-home-abuse-34410142.html

 

[Catholic1954]

Hi,

Locally, there have been a couple of well known priest sex abusers from the 60s and 70s who were apprehended long ago. Victims are going after the arch diocese for compensation based on the lack of response from the diocese and even attempts at cover up.

The archdiocese I am a part of has payed out nearly a million in compensation over the years to various victims.

I find it hard to understand why it is that the archdioces as a whole has to pay? If there was a cover up, was it not the responsibility of the bishop and those involved in the cover up to face charges and pay compensation?

I guess I find it difficult to accept that money I pay in donations to my local church is being used to pay for the sins of some priests and their bishops for events that happened over 40 or 50 years ago.

I say this without any desire of minimizing the pain and suffering that the victims of abuse endured…

God bless,
Ut

My diocese had one of the biggest payoffs in the US (add 659 to your one million). Our good bishop did not use any church donation money; he sold a little bit of diocesan property, asked the priests of the diocese to contribute and the rest came from insurance. He was not a bishop at the time of the abuses and not even living in our state, but he is responsible for the diocese. Unfortunately, most of those involved are deceased or retired and will answer to a Higher Authority. Hopefully, your bishop can use other assets to cover the costs.