BREAKING: The Diocese of Brooklyn has just announced plans to settle approximately 1,100 sexual abuse lawsuits, committing to compensate survivors. Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan revealed the decision on Thursday, marking a significant movement under the New York Child Victims Act. This follows a similar announcement from the Archdiocese of New York late last year.
The Diocese aims to mitigate the emotional toll on survivors by avoiding the courtroom process. In a letter addressed to the public, Bishop Brennan emphasized the importance of expediency, stating, “to avoid the time, expense and emotional strain for victim-survivors,” the Diocese has initiated discussions with attorneys representing hundreds of survivors.
Attorney Jeff Anderson, who represents over 200 clients in cases against the Diocese, called the announcement “positive news.” He noted that survivors have suffered greatly due to the Diocese’s previous denials and legal battles, causing further distress. “For over six years, the Diocese has denied responsibility, contesting virtually every case,” Anderson stated.
However, not all legal representatives share this optimistic view. Attorney Anelga Doumanian, representing 50 survivors, criticized the announcement as a “PR stunt.” Doumanian claimed that her clients have been left uninformed and that the Diocese has continuously delayed justice for victims. “This is a pseudo-offer at best, and survivors won’t be fooled,” she asserted.
The Diocese has previously settled claims exceeding $100 million for over 500 allegations since launching its Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program in 2017. Bishop Brennan clarified that these funds are sourced from monetizing existing assets, with no impact on donations or the operation of Catholic schools.
The majority of the pending allegations are from decades ago, primarily occurring in the 1960s and 1970s. A spokesperson for the Diocese indicated that more than 90% of these cases involve incidents that are very old, underscoring the long-standing nature of the abuse.
As the Diocese moves forward with this global settlement process, the impact on survivors remains to be seen. The church’s commitment to healing is evident, with Bishop Brennan stating, “We continue to pray for the victim-survivors, their families, and all others impacted by sexual abuse.”
This developing story highlights the ongoing struggle for justice faced by survivors and the complexities surrounding institutional accountability. As further details emerge, the public will be closely watching the Diocese’s actions and the responses from legal representatives of the victims.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation unfolds.
