The Pennsylvania Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg has made important changes to the eligibility qualifications victims need to meet in order to qualify for a settlement from the diocese’s victims compensation fund.

Updates to the Harrisburg Diocese Victims Compensation Fund

On March 20, 2019, Bishop Ronald Gainer of the Harrisburg Diocese announced that he was waiving one of the requirements pertaining to victims of Catholic clergy abuse who wanted to seek justice.

Initially, survivors of abuse wishing to seek compensation were required to have identified themselves to the diocese by Feb. 11, 2019. Under Bishop Gainer’s new guidelines, this deadline was waived, and victims of accused Catholic priests who have not previously come forward may still be eligible for the program.

The timing requirement was waived after the diocese completed a series of fourteen listening sessions with parishioners about victim reparations and accused Catholic priests. According to the diocese, these listening sessions resulted in a better understanding of how to make reparations to victims of accused priests, including giving them a chance to be heard, as well as offering compensation.

In a statement regarding the changes, Bishop Gainer said, “In my name and on behalf of the Church, we extend our prayers, heartfelt sorrow, and apologies to all survivors of clergy sexual abuse.”

About the Victims Compensation Fund

In February, the Harrisburg Diocese initiated their Survivor Compensation Program, a fund intended to pay out potentially millions of dollars to victims of accused Catholic priests. No details have been released regarding the specific dollar amount allotted to the victim’s fund, or the amount that individual victims may be eligible to receive.

Victims compensation funds set up through other dioceses have resulted in individual payouts as high as $125,000. The period for victims to submit claims to the Harrisburg fund runs from Feb. 12 through May 13. Settlement offers will be extended to victims on or before June 28.

Who is Eligible to Pursue Compensation?

Following the grand jury report released in August 2018 regarding widespread Catholic priest sexual abuse, many dioceses have instituted funds for victims. Victims who may be eligible for these compensation funds include people who suffered childhood sexual abuse by Catholic clergy members including priests, deacons, and seminarians.

Compensation is not available through the Harrisburg victims fund for victims who have previously settled childhood abuse claims with the diocese, or if their childhood sexual abuse is not connected to any members of Harrisburg Diocese.

If you have experienced childhood sexual abuse by a member of the Catholic Clergy, you may be eligible to open a claim against the responsible diocese and pursue compensation for your experiences and suffering. Victims of Harrisburg clergy members have until May 13 to submit their applications to the fund.

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