California Dioceses Announce Compensation Program

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Dioceses of Fresno, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino and San Diego announced the establishment of a joint Independent Compensation Program for “Victim–Survivors of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests” (the “Program”). The announcement was made on May 14, 2019 and included the appointment of Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille Biros as Administrators for the Program. Both are experienced with the creation and administration of compensation programs for survivors of clergy childhood sexual abuse.

The Program is intended to operate separately from the Archdiocese and Dioceses. According to preliminary information, “[t]he Administrators of the Program have complete autonomy to determine eligibility of individual claims and the amount of compensation for victims that come forward with a claim.” The Program will administer claims of child sexual abuse committed by priests of any of the Archdiocese and Dioceses. It will not include claims of child sexual abuse against members of religious orders, clergy of any other archdiocese or dioceses, deacons or lay persons.

The Program is expected to begin later in 2019 — most likely in September. Those who have not previously reported their childhood sexual abuse will be required to register with the Program. In addition, once registered, a claimant will be required to report the claim of abuse in writing to the appropriate law enforcement agency (with a copy provided to the Administrators).