Victims of Catholic Church sex abuse in the Norwich Diocese are speaking out after changes were made to a compensation plan. The Diocese claims it was the victims who walked away from the existing plan, but victims are angry at the delays and changes. These victims, who were abused at the Mount Saint John School years ago, say the betrayal started with the abuse. The Diocese filed for bankruptcy three years ago to address the abuse claims, but victims feel betrayed once again by the recent changes to the compensation plan.
Lawyers representing victims worked out a plan with the Diocese to establish a $29 million trust for victims, but the Diocese reduced the amount in the plan to approximately $3.2 million. The victims’ lawyers cite a Supreme Court ruling in the Purdue Pharma case as the reason for needing a new plan. They criticize the Diocese for spending money on lawyers and PR professionals rather than helping victims with therapy and other needs stemming from the abuse. Mediation is scheduled for November, where the victims’ lawyers will push for a return to the $29 million figure.
The Diocese maintains that it is committed to resolving the abuse claims consensually and believes their plan will maximize recovery for victims. However, victims’ counsel believes the Diocese is pursuing a path of protracted litigation that does not benefit victims. Despite the disagreements, both parties are seeking a resolution to address the impact of the abuse on survivors.
Source
Photo credit www.wtnh.com