Alleged child sexual abuse settlement with Diocese of Rockville Centre one step closer to reality
As previously reported, funding for the settlement would come from entities including the diocese, parishes, other related entities and insurance companies.
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Hundreds of alleged child sex abuse survivors are one step closer to receiving a settlement with the Diocese Of Rockville Centre, but parishioners may be the ones fronting some of that cost.
As News 12 previously reported, funding for the settlement would come from entities including the diocese, parishes, other related entities and insurance companies.
Rebecca Madigan is a victims advocate and runs the nonprofit Justice for the Forgotten and Future Americans. She says an approval of a roughly $320 million settlement is more than just a win for victims who endured alleged sex abuse in the diocese for decades.
"I think this would be something huge for victims past and current,” she said. "It would help to make them feel that they've been heard and that they would receive some type of closure where previously it's just something that's been brushed under the carpet."
Some parishioners tell News12 that just this past weekend, they learned how much money their parish is responsible for contributing to the diocese, with some on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars.
In a statement to News 12, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Rockville Centre said, “No collections are being taken up to fund the settlement and no parishes outside of this diocese are participating in this settlement.”
Joseph Napoli, of West Islip, says the money for the victims has to come from somewhere.
"I think they should have paid up a long time ago,” he said. "Honestly, when I have to give to the church, I think twice about where this money is going."
A diocese spokesperson says a hearing to confirm the bankruptcy plan is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday.
