Victim Compensation and Counseling Program
Moving Toward Implementation

December 10, 2018

Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R. the Archbishop of Newark, has announced that representatives of the New Jersey Catholic Conference will meet with Kenneth Feinberg and Camille Biros on Tuesday, December 11 to plan the implementation of the Victim Compensation Program to be funded by the five Catholic dioceses of New Jersey.

 
Kenneth Feinberg served as the Special Master of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund, and fulfilled a similar role – with his associate, Camille Biros – for the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn.  They currently are in the process of developing such programs for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Pittsburgh, among others.
 
 The goal of the meeting with Mr. Feinberg and Ms. Biros is the development of a statewide protocol to enable the survivors of sexual abuse to relate their experiences to an independent auditor, and to obtain financial compensation for the harm that they have sustained.  The results of the meeting with Mr. Feinberg and Ms. Biros will be presented to the New Jersey bishops on Wednesday, December 12.  It is anticipated that the plan for implementation of the Program will be finalized by Friday, December 14.

 
 Prior to adopting the plan to implement the victims’ compensation fund, the bishops will seek comments and observations from independent individuals and institutions – including members of the legislature – so that the program will have input from all stakeholders.
 
 
 

The 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. 

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.

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

"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, 9/16/13

The 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 .

New Jersey Dioceses to Establish 
Victim Compensation and Counseling 
Program

November 19, 2018

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, announced today that the Archdiocese of Newark and the Dioceses of Camden, Trenton, Paterson and Metuchen are committed to the establishment of a Victim Compensation and Counseling Program.  The details and mechanics of this Program will be finalized after consultation with - and input from - all stakeholders, and will be released when they are available.

This Program will provide the resources to compensate those victims of child sexual abuse by clergy and employees of the Dioceses in New Jersey whose financial claims are legally barred by New Jersey's statute of limitations.  This will give victims a formal voice and allow them to be heard by an independent panel.  The Cardinal said that the Program also will assure that victims who have not received any financial compensation will be paid, regardless of whether their claims meet the time requirements of the statute of limitations.  This initiative will expand on the current arrangement through which the Catholic Church in New Jersey already has provided some fifty million dollars in financial settlements to victims of abuse.  The vast majority of these claims had been barred by the statute of limitations.
 
The Program also will be a resource to provide permanent funding for necessary counseling to those who have been victimized.  Such counseling so often is needed to help in the healing of those who have been harmed.
 
Cardinal Tobin also announced that the Roman Catholic Dioceses in New Jersey will undertake a complete review of their files so that, early next year, the names of all priests and deacons who have been credibly accused of the sexual abuse of minors will be made public.  The Dioceses will undertake this action in coordination with the Attorney General of New Jersey’s ongoing Task Force examining the issue of clergy sexual abuse.  It is hoped that these steps will aid in the process of healing for victims, who are deserving of our support and prayers.