Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program Goes Live

The voluntary Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP) for victim-survivors of clergy sexual abuse that the Diocese of Pittsburgh established last month goes live today. The website with information about the program, and where claims can be submitted, is www.PittsburghDioceseIRCP.com.

This program is another step the diocese is taking in its ongoing efforts to respond to the sexual abuse of minors by clergy as it seeks to promote healing by providing compensation to victim-survivors of abuse by priests or deacons of the diocese.

The program is open to both claimants who are already known to the diocese and to those who have never come forward previously. The program is being administered by the renowned mediators Kenneth Feinberg and Camille Biros, and was put into place by Bishop David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The diocese is in the process of reaching out to those victim-survivors who have previously notified the diocese that they had suffered abuse by a member of the clergy of the diocese, in order to invite them to participate in this program. Mr. Feinberg and Ms. Biros will have complete autonomy in deciding compensation for victim-survivors, and the diocese has agreed that it will abide by their decisions.

“In turning to the features of this new reconciliation and compensation program, I will first note that any such program designed to compensate survivors of abuse must be more about the survivors than about the payment of money,” Bishop Zubik said.

“It is about recognizing the harm done by past abuse and continuing our pledge of taking every appropriate action to prevent the occurrence of future abuse. We believe that it is important for survivors to resolve their claims quickly. In our search for a capable, effective and independent party to administer this fund, the Diocese of Pittsburgh, like many other dioceses, recognized the unique skills of Mr. Kenneth R. Feinberg and Ms. Camille S. Biros. Mr. Feinberg and Ms. Biros are nationally recognized claims administration experts renowned for their abilities to manage and resolve complex claims programs.”

The program is wholly independent from the diocese.

Bishop Zubik said that it is “designed to help survivors come forward in an atmosphere where their interests are secure and respected, without the uncertainty, conflict and stress of litigation. The Administrators of the program will have complete autonomy to determine eligibility of individual claims. They will also determine the amount of compensation for victims that come forward with a claim.”

It should be noted that no funds for this program will come from Our Campaign for the Church Alive!, Catholic Charities, parishes, schools, or any other funds designated for a specific use by the donor. Nor have such funds been used in the past to compensate victims.