It is reported today that the Diocese of Buffalo paid $17.5 to 106 clergy abuse victims under its “voluntary” compensation program. Bishop Richard Malone is quoted as stating “We’re doing this now because I know it’s the right thing to do.” As a lawyer representing hundreds of clergy abuse victims, I do not believe the Diocese is acting out of concern for the victims. I believe the voluntary compensation victim program was put into place to settle claims for pennies on the dollar before the New York Child Victims Act became law. I hear from many victims who feel re-victimized by the Catholic Church because they realize they were taken advantage of, once again. The math in the Buffalo Diocese program is clear. The average settlement paid is about $165,000, well below the fair value of these cases. The highest amount paid was $650,000 except that one case, which was filed in Hawaii, was settled for $1,500,000. Why such a big difference? The answer is simple – Hawaii passed a law similar to New York so that there was not statute of limitations.
Jeff Herman
