In mid-2019, six Catholic dioceses in California set up a settlement fund for people affected by Catholic priest abuse cases.

The fund’s creation was in part prompted by a groundbreaking report published by a Pennsylvania grand jury back in August 2018, which revealed the names of more than 300 priests accused of sexual abuse against more than 1,000 children under their care.

Since the report’s release, Catholic dioceses all across the country have begun opening investigations, releasing lists of credibly accused priests, and opening compensation programs like this one to deal with Catholic priest abuse cases. The compensation program closed in early 2020.

The California victim compensation fund was supported by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, along with the dioceses of San Diego, Sacramento, San Bernardino, Fresno, and Orange. These six dioceses make up about 80% of California’s Catholic population — totaling around 10 million Catholics, says CBS Los Angeles.

Anyone who was allegedly abused by a Catholic priest in one of the six participating dioceses was able to file a claim for benefits, even if the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution had already passed, per CBS Los Angeles.

“It is an effort of our Diocese to bring healing to victim-survivors, though we know that financial compensation cannot erase the trauma of abuse, nor does it excuse or justify the significant past failures of the church in this area,” said Diocese of San Bernardino Bishop Gerald Barnes, according to The San Bernardino Sun.

The compensation fund was independent of church control, though it was supported by the dioceses. The administrators of the California Catholic Church victim compensation fund were in charge of determining how much each sexual assault claimant would receive in benefits, and the church said it would comply with the recommendations of the administrators.

Even if the statute of limitations had passed on a claim, the program confidentially reported these Catholic priest abuse cases to the police, according to CBS Los Angeles. Those who had previously reported their alleged abuse to the dioceses were reportedly contacted by the appropriate diocese to inform them of the program’s existence.

By mid-January 2020, the Independent Compensation Program (ICP) had authorized $3.94 million to 39 people who had been deemed eligible for compensation, with a couple dozen filed claims left to be processed. Hundreds more had registered with the program but had yet to file a claim.

In early 2020, the deadline for registering with the Independent Compensation Program was extended to Feb. 29, 2020, and the claims filing deadline to March 31, 2020. The fund is now closed. However, there are still options for survivors of Catholic abuse wishing to pursue justice and receive compensation.

The landscape of the compensation fund changed somewhat after the introduction of the California Child Victims Act,  which extended the deadline for alleged victims of childhood sexual abuse to file civil claims until the alleged victims are 40 years old, from the previous deadline of age 26. Moreover, adults over age 40 who recently discovered they were abused during childhood now have five years to file a lawsuit under the new rules.

What Other States Have Similar Compensation Funds?

Similar compensation funds have been created in other states around the country. One such fund has been created in New Jersey, as well as in New York. Unlike the California fund, the New York fund has a benefits cap — $500,000 for each victim. These funds are reportedly part of the Catholic Church’s attempt to help victims recover from the abuse and for the church to accept accountability in Catholic priest abuse cases.

However, many victims claim that the Catholic Church is still invested in covering up the extent of the abuse scandal. In 2019, alleged victims in New Jersey came forward alleging that they were victimized by priests who had not yet been revealed as abusers. NJ.com reported that 28 priests were accused of assault, 16 of which had previously been accused, indicating the problem may continue to grow in scope.

Victims who file claims of Catholic priest abuse with the settlement funds, whether in New Jersey, California or elsewhere, face the risk that their claims may not be accepted. In the case of the recent New Jersey claims, some accusations have not been deemed credible by fund administrators.

Filing a Catholic Sex Abuse Lawsuit in California

A growing number of survivors in California are coming forward under the state’s new laws to file lawsuits over abuse that occurred in their childhood.

If you or someone you love has suffered sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in California or another state, even if the abuse occurred years or decades ago, you may be able to file a lawsuit. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering, but it can at least help to provide compensation, as well as hold those responsible accountable.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.