The Brooklyn Diocese on Thursday said it will move forward to resolve the nearly 1,100 remaining sexual abuse cases with victims and survivors through mediation.
The Diocese said it has began discussions with attorneys representing hundreds of victim-survivors who allege they were sexually abused as minors by priests or church staff, according to a statement from Rev. Robert Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn. Judge Daniel J. Buckley and Paul A. Finn have been appointed as mediators, he added.
"We will endeavor to resolve expeditiously all meritorious claims, and to avoid the time, expense, and emotional strain for victim-survivors that would be caused by individual trials," Brennan said.
Judge Buckley mediated a global settlement of sex abuse claims filed against the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, while Finn has mediated hundreds of sex abuse claims brought against the Archdioceses of Boston and Milwaukee, as well as the Dioceses of Rochester, Rockville Centre, and Syracuse.
The Brooklyn Diocese's Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program has paid over 500 victim-survivors more than $100 million since 2017.
The Diocese also said it has been engaging with representatives of its liability insurance carriers in an effort to obtain additional funds to compensate victim-survivors. The Diocese said it retained Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Anderson Kill P.C., and Alvarez & Marsal as legal and financial advisors.
Brennan called the sexual abuse cases as part of the church's "shameful history."
"The impact of sexual abuse is devastating. As your Bishop, I again offer my deepest apologies to all the victim-survivors," Brennan wrote. "We hope fair and comprehensive action to resolve the lawsuits stemming from the New York Child Victims Act can further the healing process."
