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Two Renowned Administrators Announce State-wide New Jersey Compensation Program for Victims of Church Sexual Abuse of Minors
(Washington, D.C.--February 11, 2019) Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros, two noted victims’ compensation experts, have been named Administrators of a New Jersey state-wide Compensation Program – approved and supported by all five Roman Catholic Dioceses located in the state. Today they announced the creation of the Independent Victim Compensation Program (“IVCP”) to pay eligible victims who were sexually abused by clergy of the Roman Catholic Church while minors.
By creating a state-wide program endorsed by all five Roman Catholic Dioceses (Newark, Trenton, Camden, Paterson, and Metuchen) Cardinal Tobin of Newark and the various Bishops throughout New Jersey have united in going further than any other state in establishing such a compensation program. In other states, such as New York and Pennsylvania, each individual Diocese has decided for itself whether to create such a program and, if so, what terms and conditions should govern. In New Jersey, however, all five Dioceses have come together and have agreed on a common Protocol.
The Program provides victims with an attractive alternative to litigation providing victims a speedy and transparent process to resolve their claims with a significantly lower level of proof and corroboration than required in a court of law.
The Administrators note that all compensation paid pursuant to the Program will come from Church funds. No public money will be used to pay eligible claims.
The two Administrators – Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros – have nationwide experience in designing and administering similar compensation programs for the Catholic Dioceses in New York and Pennsylvania. They also have administered such varying compensation programs as the Penn State sexual abuse claims, the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, the BP Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Fund, and OneFund Boston and OneFund Orlando programs arising out of terrorist attacks. The two Administrators will act independently in evaluating and compensating individual claims. Church officials will have no authority to challenge the decisions reached by the Administrators.
“Cardinal Tobin and the Bishops of the five New Jersey Dioceses have delegated to us this independent responsibility. They have assured us that we have complete discretion in deciding who is eligible to receive compensation and the amount to be paid to the individual victim,” said Co-Administrator Camille S. Biros.
Important features of the Compensation Program include:- The complete independence of the two Administrators in determining eligibility and the amount of compensation.
- The Program is completely voluntary; no individual claimant is required to participate.
- All payments authorized by the Administrators will come from Diocese funds; no public money will be used to compensate victims.
- Only if the individual victim accepts the amount offered by the Administrators will a signed Release be required, in which the victim agrees not to engage in any further litigation against the particular Diocese.
- The IVCP will first give a priority to claimants who previously complained to Church officials about the sexual abuse. Phase II of the Program will permit new claimants – who did not previously file a complaint with the Diocese – to register for consideration for eligibility to participate in the Program. Their claims will similarly be reviewed and subsequently processed by the two independent Administrators.
A Draft Protocol detailing all the terms and conditions of the IVCP will be made available on the Program website at www.NJdiocesesIVCP.com beginning March 1, 2019. A 30-day comment period will thereafter commence inviting all interested parties and the public to review the Draft Protocol and offer suggestions and recommendations for improvement. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, the two independent Administrators will review all such comments and make whatever adjustments they believe will improve the final product.
The IVCP will commence upon adoption of a Final Protocol and will conclude on December 31, 2019. All individual claims must be submitted during this period.
Media wishing to speak to Biros or Feinberg should contact Amy Weiss, Amy@weisspublicaffairs.com or 202-203-0448.
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NJ Catholic Bishops Announce Decision to Retain Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camile Biros to Administer Victim Compensation Program
December 14, 2018
The Roman Catholic Bishops of New Jersey announced today their decision to retain Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille Biros to design, implement and administer a statewide Victims Compensation Program for the submission, evaluation, and settlement of individual claims of sexual abuse of a minor.
The Program would operate independently from any of the participating dioceses. The Administrators of the Program will have complete autonomy to determine eligibility of individual claims and the amount of compensation for victims who present a claim.
This Program is intended to compensate eligible victims of child sexual abuse including those whose financial claims are legally barred by New Jersey's statute of limitations.
Comments and observations from individuals and institutions, including victims, support groups, and members of the legislature, will be sought to ensure that the protocol that will guide the program will have input from stakeholders.
The Catholic Church in New Jersey already has provided some fifty million dollars in financial settlements to victims of abuse. The majority of those claims had been barred by the statute of limitations.
The Bishops noted that Mr. Feinberg and Ms. Biros are respected internationally. Among their many accomplishments, they have served as the Special Masters of the U.S. Government's September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and as Administrators of the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster Victim Compensation Fund as well as Administrators of the victim assistance fund established in the wake of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.
Currently, Mr. Feinberg and Ms. Biros are administering victim compensation programs for victims of sexual abuse of minors for a number of Catholic dioceses in the States of New York and Pennsylvania.
This Program follows the many initiatives adopted by the Catholic Dioceses in New Jersey since 2002 to implement safeguards and procedures to provide safe environments for children and to provide assistance to victims.
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R.
Archbishop, Archdiocese of Newark
Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Bishop, Diocese of Trenton
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan
Bishop, Diocese of Camden
Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli
Bishop, Diocese of Paterson
Most Reverend James F. Checchio
Bishop, Diocese of Metuchen
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What the Church has Done to Prevent the
Sexual Abuse of ChildrenThe Catholic Church in New Jersey has committed substantial resources to prevent any abuse of any child at any time by any person. The Church has comprehensive policies in place both to respond to – and of far more importance - to prevent the sexual abuse of minors.
To learn more about what the Roman Catholic Church does to protect children from abuse click HERE -
News
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August 29Recently, I contacted the sponsors and co-sponsors of some proposed legislation here in New Jersey to express my concerns about its negative impact upon the Catholic Church and other religious entities. Click on the Title to read the full statement.Read More
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August 6Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. asks, "How many people have to die from unspeakable violence until our legislators act on gun control legislation?" Twenty-five years ago the U.S. Bishops wrote, "Our families are torn by violence. Our communities are destroyed by violence. Our faith is tested by violence. We have an obligation to respond. Read the full statement HERERead More
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August 2On August 1, 2019, the “Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act” becomes law. The law permits physician-assisted suicide for competent, New Jersey residents over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have six months or less to live. Cardinal Joseph Tobin has issued a statement on the sacredness of all human life and accompanying those that are suffering. Read the full statement HERE.Read More
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August 2As Assisted Suicide legislation becomes law in New Jersey, Bishop David O'Connell, C.M. issued a reflection. “Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act,” which permits physician-assisted suicide for competent, New Jersey residents over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have six months or less to live, became law on August 1, 2019. Read the full statement HERE.Read More
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August 2Bishop James Checchio has issued a letter regarding the “Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act” becoming law. The law permits physician-assisted suicide for competent, New Jersey residents over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and have six months or less to live. Read the entire letter HERE.Read More
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Cardinal Tobin appears on NJTV's
"On the Record with Michael Aron"
On May 5, 2018, Joseph Cardinal Tobin appeared on NJTV's "On the Record with Michael Aron." During this extensive interveiw Cardinal Tobin discussed his role as leader of the Archdiocese of Newark, his first imperssions of New Jersey, and the need for Catholics to advocate on behalf of the poor, immigrants, and the most vulnerable in society.
Click Here to watch the full interview. -
Statement of Cardinal Tobin, the January 24, 2017 Executive Actions on Immigration
I understand the desire for every American to be assured of safe borders and freedom from terrorism. The federal government should continue a prudent policy aimed at protecting citizens. I also understand and heed the call of God, who through Moses told the people of Israel: “You shall not oppress an alien; you well know how it feels to be an alien, since you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt” (Ex 23:9). Jesus asks His disciples to go further, calling on us to recognize Him in the stranger: “Whatsoever you did to the least of my brothers, you did to me” (Mt. 25:40).
Read the full statement HERE -
Speaking Out Against Assisted Suicide
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Welcome to the New Jersey Catholic Conference
Founded in 1949, the New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC) represents the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey on matters of public policy. NJCC serves as a liaison to governmental agencies and institutions and coordinates communications and activities between the Bishops and secular agencies. The Archbishop of Newark is the President of NJCC. There are more than 3.5 million Catholics registered in seven dioceses throughout New Jersey.
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Faithful Citizenship
"We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern."
- Pope Francis, 9/16/13The Catholic bishops of the United States are pleased to offer once again to the Catholic faithful Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship , our teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. Learn More .