Thank you Ron, for allowing me the formal platform to publicly say what happened to me in the early 1970’s. It may have not been the “jury of my peers” but it was a group of respected professionals who verbally confirmed to me that what “may have” happened… “it was not my fault”. I will say that I am now at a different place in my head; maybe starting to feel closure? When we initially communicated, I had no idea I would be writing this email. Please forgive my delay in expressing my appreciation to you for your guidance and support in this extremely difficult realization of my past. Judge [name redacted] stated that you were true advocates for the abused, and he is so right. If you can, please extend my deepest appreciation to Judge [name redacted] for his kindness and wisdom. Please continue to assist lost souls like myself. May you and your family be safe and healthy.
- A Client-Survivor of Clergy Childhood Sexual Abuse
Perhaps as strong and enduring as any other effects on a survivor of abuse are the shame and guilt that can be overwhelming and debilitating, compounded by a resulting mistrust of others and avoidance of any acknowledgment or conversation concerning the abuse. We recognize how difficult and oftentimes frightening acknowledging the abuse and describing it can be. Be assured that any conversation about your situation with our firm is confidential. When we respond to an inquiry, we do so with the sensitivity, respect, and discretion necessary to provide meaningful feedback. If you prefer to speak with us directly regarding your incident, please call The Meneo Law Group at 1-866-371-8506 1-866-371-8506 or send us a confidential email at confidentialinquiry@meneolawgroup.com.
Cases may be filed anonymously to protect the victim's identity.
Potential clients often ask “what will I receive if I bring a claim as a survivor of abuse?” The answer to this question is not easily determined nor should it be. All facts and circumstances about a survivor’s particular situation are important in assessing what can be expected in the way of monetary damages. Of course, in discussing any estimate of financial compensation, the context must always be recognized, i.e. is the discussion about a potential jury verdict after a contentious trial or a settlement arrived at through negotiation or mediation? Verdicts can be in the millions of dollars and settlements can range upward from hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Reports indicate more than 17,000 people nationwide have already reported being abused by a church priest or official. Financial compensation generally involves three components:
We are prepared to discuss these issues with you but again, there are many considerations in assessing the potential amount of financial compensation that may be obtained in Priest and Clergy Sexual Abuse cases.
My wife and I cannot thank you enough for your help in this case. We want to make note of your professionalism and empathy in this matter. The actual velocity here is astonishing compared to most legal endeavors. - W.M.
Attorney Ron Meneo manages and leads The Meneo Law Group. Your case will be personally reviewed and evaluated by him. 
Asserting a Clergy Sexual Abuse claim may be subject to various deadlines – formally known as “statutes of limitations” – which limit the time within which a claim can be brought. These limits vary from state-to-state and, for each state, differ depending upon the type of claim. Generally speaking, statutes of limitations are divided into two distinct groups: those that apply to criminal acts and those that apply to non-criminal or civil claims.
Many states have adopted very liberal time limits for sexual abuse cases. For example, in Connecticut, the general time limit for criminal prosecution of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or sexual assault of a minor (under the age of 18) is THIRTY (30) years from the date the survivor reaches the age of majority (age 18) [CGs 54-193a]. For civil actions brought by the abuse survivor against the perpetrator and other responsible parties, a similar rule applies, i.e. the action may be brought any time within the THIRTY (30) year period beginning from the date the survivor attains the age of 18 [CGS 52-577d]. For civil actions, there also is a statute that extends the time limit if a defendant has engaged in fraudulent concealment [CGS 52-595].
Since the 1980s, more than $3.8 billion in lawsuits and claims has been paid over allegations of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Examples include:
| Arizona | New Jersey |
| California | New York |
| Colorado | Pennsylvania |
| Connecticut | Rhode Island |
| Illinois | Texas |
| Massachusetts | Vermont |
The parishes of Arizona are overseen by one of three dioceses based on geographic location; the Diocese of Phoenix, the Diocese of Tucson, the Diocese of Gallup (which also oversees parishes in western New Mexico). The Diocese of Phoenix began publishing a list of priests credibly accused of child sexual abuse in 2012. In 2003, an investigation into the diocese led to the indictment of six priests and the ouster of then–Bishop Thomas O’Brien who had admitted to covering up the abuse.
A recent release from the Catholic Order of Franciscan Friars of the Province of Saint Barbara, based in Oakland, disclosed the names of 50 clergy members who they say are credibly accused of abusing children. Half of the men on the list had assignments throughout Arizona including within the Diocese of Phoenix but only two were included in the Diocese’s list. Upon the release of the Order’s list, the Diocese pledged to review and update their own list as necessary and Phoenix Bishop Thomas Olmsted urged any victim of abuse to call local law–enforcement. The dioceses of Tucson and Gallup have also provided lists of credibly accused priests who have served there. To support victims and allow for justice, in May 2019, the state of Arizona passed a law that allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse until the age of 30 to bring civil lawsuits against their abusers. Importantly, for anyone older than 30, there is a special window open until December 31, 2020 to file a lawsuit.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Dioceses of Fresno, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino and San Diego have established and now launched an “Independent Compensation Program (“ICP”) to provide monetary compensation to survivors of childhood sexual abuse perpetrated by priests of those institutions. The ICP is a voluntary program that will be administered by Kenneth Feinberg and Camille Biros who have extensive experience organizing and running similar programs for Dioceses throughout the United States.
The Program is intended to operate separately from the Archdiocese and Dioceses. “The 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 administers claims of child sexual abuse committed by priests of any of the Archdiocese and Dioceses. It does not include claims of child sexual abuse against members of religious orders, clergy of any other archdiocese or dioceses, deacons or lay persons.
The ICP was officially launched on September 16, 2019 and provides for the following:
Clergy Abuse Compensation Programs administered by Kenneth Feinberg and Camille Biros have been adopted in many Dioceses throughout the United States. The Programs are designed with safeguards for the survivors of childhood sexual abuse, shielding their identities and eliminating the stress and anxiety that so often accompany litigation. While these Programs are not for everyone, they do offer an opportunity to present a claim for clergy childhood sexual abuse through an administrative process that is independent of the Dioceses. The process usually involves two steps: (1) Registration of the Claim; and (2) Preparation and Filing of the Claim.
Registration is an important first step in the Claims process. It has important implications — especially as to the actual filing and consideration of your claim by the Administrators
| Registration is Time-Sensitive |
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| If you were abused by a California priest and are considering the compensation program, it is in your interest to act now as certain aspects of the program are usually time-sensitive.
Contact us to discuss your situation. We are knowledgeable about the compensation programs and would like to speak with you. |
Once registered with the program, a claimant can then file his/her claim with the program Administrators. Though the process is streamlined, presenting a comprehensive, concise and thorough claim provides the optimum opportunity for a favorable determination of the claim. We review each claim on its own merits and prepare the claim accordingly. We are experienced in preparing and filing successful claims in the compensation programs.
The Archdiocese of Denver and the Dioceses of Colorado Springs and Pueblo have established and now launched an “Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program (IRRP)” to provide monetary compensation to survivors of childhood sexual abuse perpetrated by priests or bishops of those institutions. The IRRP is a voluntary program that will be administered by Kenneth Feinberg and Camille Biros who have extensive experience organizing and running similar programs for dioceses throughout the United States.
The ICP was officially launched on October 7, 2019 and provides for the following:
If you think you or a loved one might be eligible for this program we would like to talk with you. To speak with us, please complete our Confidential E-Contact form above, call The Meneo Law Group directly at 1-866-371-8506 1-866-371-8506 or send us a confidential email at confidentialinquiry@meneolawgroup.com.
The Connecticut legislature has wrestled with proposed legislation that would open a “revival window” enabling older victims of clergy and other child sexual abuse to sue their abusers and responsible institutions. Each time, the Catholic Church, Boy Scouts, insurance companies and others have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying lawmakers to oppose such legislation. The most recent effort was defeated in May 2019. Another effort appears to be taking shape in 2019 but its future remains uncertain.
Here is a summary of what has occurred in each of the three Connecticut Dioceses concerning priests who have been “credibly accused” of child sexual abuse and settlements which have been paid:
In January 2019 the Archdiocese of Hartford released the names of 48 priests who, based on the determination of the Archdiocese’s investigator, have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse.
As of that date, the Archdiocese has paid $50.6million to settle 142 individual claims of child sexual abuse perpetrated by priests of the Archdiocese or under its control at the time of the abuse. This equates to an average settlement amount of $356,338. Individual settlements ranged from $3,000 to $1.6million.
In October 2019, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut issued a report detailing child sexual abuse by priests serving the Diocese since its formation in 1953. The report was compiled by a retired Connecticut Superior Judge. The report is based upon the existing files and records of the Diocese so there are likely to be many more incidents of abuse that occurred but went unreported.
The Bridgeport Diocese has paid out almost $56 million in settlements of claims of child abuse by Diocesan priests. Of this, $45.4million was paid for settlement of 172 claims of abuse perpetrated by 10 serial abuser priests (an average of $264,093 per claim).
In February 2019, the Diocese of Norwich released the names of 42 priests who had allegations of child sexual abuse brought against them that the Diocese’s investigators deemed to have “substance.”
From July 1977 through January 31, 2019, the Diocese settled 9 cases that alleged child sexual abuse. The settlements totaled $7,681,646. This equates to an average settlement value of $853,516.
On July 15, 2021 the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich Connecticut filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection. The Norwich Diocese claims liabilities of between $50 and $100 million and reports assets of between $10 and $50 million. In announcing the filing, the Diocesan Bishop, Michael R. Cote asserted that the bankruptcy filing is the most equitable way to resolve liabilities stemming from allegations of child sexual abuse as well as liabilities asserted by other creditors.
As part of the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy process, a “Bar Date” will be set by the Court. This Bar Date will be the last date that child sex abuse and other claims against the Norwich Diocese may be filed. After the Bar Date, no further claims will be accepted in the Bankruptcy proceeding and, if the Bankruptcy Court approves a Plan of Reorganization for the Diocese, all other claims against the Norwich Diocese for child sexual abuse committed prior to July 15, 2021 will be extinguished.
A Bar Date has not been set by the Court.
As of July 19, 2021, no Bar Date has been established by the Bankruptcy Court. However, if you or a loved one suffered childhood sexual abuse committed by a priest or other person working for or affiliated with the Norwich Diocese, the Bar Date (once established) will operate against any potential claim you may have.
On December 19, 2018 the Attorney General for Illinois issued “Preliminary Findings of the Investigation into Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse of Minors in Illinois.” The investigation began in August 2018 and included all six of the dioceses in Illinois:
The Preliminary Findings of the Attorney General’s investigation included the following:
Preliminary Findings also include that: “The Illinois Dioceses often disregarded survivors’ allegations by either not investigating the allegations, or finding reasons not to substantiate the allegations.” And further that the Diocese are failing survivors: “The Illinois Dioceses’ investigatory processes often do not realize the [Cathlic Bishops’]Charter’s goal to prioritize survivor healing, particularly when conflicts of interest are present with respect to the Dioceses’ own interest and liabilities.”
Massachusetts is home to the second highest number of Catholics per capita and Boston has the highest percentage of Catholics amongst all large dioceses across the country. A landmark report appearing in 2002 in The Boston Globe detailed a long history of priests in the Archdiocese of Boston sexually abusing children while church leaders covered up the abuse. The scandal was part of a series of Catholic Church sexual abuse cases and reports across the country but the scale of the abuse and coverup detailed in the Globe’s investigative report, titled “Spotlight Investigation: Abuse in the Catholic Church”, led to widespread media coverage helping expose a long history of abuse and coverup within the Church. Subsequent national and international investigations and allegations revealed the number of victims reached into the several thousands with reported abuse spanning many decades.
Immediately following the report, criminal charges were brought against Boston area priests John Geoghan, John Hanlon, Paul Shanley, Robert V. Gale and Jesuit priest James Talbot with all being convicted and sentenced to prison. Following the report, it was revealed that Boston Archbishop Cardinal Bernard Francis Law had an extensive role in covering up sexual abuse by his priests and he would resign that December. In 2002, the victims of Geoghan received a $10 million settlement from the Boston Archdiocese and in 2003 an additional $85 million was paid to 552 victims to settle lawsuits over church abuse within the Archdiocese. Since then, there have been other high-profile cases with dozens upon dozens of priests accused of sexual abuse within Boston and the other three Massachusetts dioceses of Fall River, Springfield and Worchester.
On February 13, 2019, the five Catholic Dioceses serving New Jersey’s Catholics released the names of priests who have been credibly abused of child sexual abuse. The release of the list of names follows an announcement of the establishment of an Independent Victims Compensation Program (IVCP) by the five Dioceses. The IVCP will administer claims on behalf of all five Dioceses, using uniform standards. The IVCP is intended to provide compensation to survivors of childhood sexual abuse perpetrated by priests ordained within one of the five Dioceses without having to engage in a lawsuit which can take years to conclude and generally involves sworn deposition testimony. It will not consider claims of childhood sexual abuse perpetrated by adults and others serving churches within the Dioceses.
The IVCP will be administered by Camille Biros and Kenneth Feinberg, who currently oversee and manage similar funds established in New York and Pennsylvania. Survivors who participate in the IVCP will release their rights to bring further claims against the Dioceses. Claims will likely be evaluated on a case-by-case basis using certain criteria to distinguish claims from one another.
On January 3, 2019, the New Jersey Dioceses of Camden, Metuchen, Trenton and Paterson, and the Archdiocese of Newark, extended the deadlines for the registering and filing of clergy childhood sexual abuse claims under their IVCP. The new deadlines are:
Registration Deadline: January 31, 2020
Claim Filing Deadline: February 15, 2020
The IVCP was launched on February 11, 2019 and became effective June 15, 2019. It is intended to provide CONFIDENTIAL financial compensation to eligible survivors of childhood sexual abuse perpetrated by Diocesan priests. The Dioceses will have no appeal rights with regard to compensation decisions made by the IVCP. According to the New Jersey’s Catholic Star Herald, “Important features of the Compensation Program include:
In September, 2018, New York’s Attorney General issued eight subpoenas, one to each of the eight Catholic Church dioceses in New York. The subpoenas request all documents related to allegations and findings of sexual abuse committed by members of the clergy. The subpoenas reportedly also request all documents related to settlements of clergy sex abuse claims by each of the dioceses.
The state of New York has over 296 parishes servicing over 2.8 million Catholics. A number of diocese have already created settlement programs for New York priest abuse victims. A few examples of New york dicocese making announcements and creating settlement programs are listed below:
On February 14, 2019, New York Governor Cuomo signed the New York Child Victims Act into law. The Childhood Victims Act was passed by the New York State legislature on January 28th and then awaited Governor Cuomo’s signature. With Governor Cuomo’s signature, the Childhood Victims Act is now the law in New York and provides for the following:
This latter provision of the Childhood Victims Act took effect six months from February 14th, 2019. So beginning in mid-August, 2019, and continuing for a period of one year, survivors of childhood sexual abuse could file lawsuits in New York to compensate them for the harm and damages they suffered as a result of the childhood sexual abuse.
In July 2020, the NY Child Victims Act’s statute of limitations date of August 13, 2020 was extended to January 14, 2021. In addition, the NY Legislature has passed a bill that further extends the CVA statute of limitations until August 14, 2021. Governor Cuomo signed the bill into law on August 3, 2020.
We are currently working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse that was perpetrated in New York - reviewing and evaluating claims and providing legal representation.
On September 12, 2019 the Diocese of Rochester New York filed a petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court seeking protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. When approved by the court, Chapter 11 allows a debtor (here the Rochester Diocese) to gain a “fresh start” by freeing itself of the claims of creditors by paying those creditors based on a plan that utilizes its available assets.
In the case of the plan proposed by the Rochester Diocese, one group (or class) of creditors consists of those individuals who have “Abuse Claims.” [This includes both child and adult victims to whom the Diocese may be liable.] On January 17, 2020, the Diocese filed a Motion with the Bankruptcy Court seeking approval of the administrative process of determining the claims of the Diocese’s creditors — including those individuals who have “Abuse Claims.” Generally speaking, and if approved by the Bankruptcy Court, the proposed process includes the following:
The Bankruptcy Court will rule on this Motion and the administrative process will begin.
On October 1, 2020 the New York Diocese of Rockville Centre filed a Chapter 11 Petition with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. According to the Diocese, the filing was the only way it could continue its operations and ensure that all survivors of child abuse perpetrated by Diocesan priests would be treated fairly. The Diocese and its advisors concluded that it could not continue to pay for the defense of approximately 200 lawsuits that have been filed against it under New York’s Child Victims Act.
The Diocese has compensated some 320 survivors of childhood sexual abuse through its Independent Compensation Survivors Program (IVCP) that was established in 2017. Unlike its experience with the IVCP, the Diocese’s costs to defend litigation and pay any verdicts are not controllable. According to its press release, the Diocese sought Chapter 11 protection to preserve its assets, continue its spiritual mission and ensure that all uncompensated survivors of abuse by Diocesan clergy can be treated equitably and fairly.
In August, 2018 a Pennsylvania grand jury issued a report detailing sexual abuse of over 1,000 children and adolescents perpetrated by “over three hundred predator priests” spanning a period of 70 years. The report covered six of the eight Pennsylvania Catholic Church’s dioceses which encompasses 54 of the state’s 67 counties.
Describing a culture of cover-up, the Report states:
“The main thing was not to help children, but to avoid “scandal.” That is not our word, but theirs; it appears over and over again in the documents we recovered. Abuse complaints were kept locked up in a “secret archive.” That is not our word, but theirs; the church’s Code of Canon Law specifically requires the diocese to maintain such an archive. Only the bishop can have the key.”
40th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury REPORT 1 Interim—Redacted at Page 2.
In an effort to further support the victims/survivors of sexual abuse by Priests and Deacons of the Catholic Church, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has launched the “Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program for Claims of Clergy Sexual Abuse of Minors” (the “IRRP”). This program was announced on November 13, 2018 and is intended to provide additional compensation to victims on top of the existing compensation program implemented in 2003. There are specific rules and guidelines defining who can submit a claim to this program.
Click here for more information about the IRRP program.
The Diocese of Pittsburgh has enacted a program similar to the IRRP in Philadelphia in an effort to further support the victims/survivors of sexual abuse by Priests and Deacons of the Catholic Church. The program is titled the “Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program for Claims of Clergy Sexual Abuse of Minors” (the “IRCP”). This new IRCP program was announced on December 13, 2018 and officially went into effect as of January 22, 2019. The IRCP is intended to provide additional compensation to victims on top of the existing compensation program implemented in 2003. There are specific rules and guidelines defining who can submit a claim to this program.
Click here for more information about the IRCP program.
Erie Diocese - On November 8, 2018, the Diocese of Erie announced the formation of the Independent Survivors' Reparation Program (ISRP). Claimants must register with the program by May 31, 2019 and claims must be submitted to the Administrators by August 15, 2019.
Scranton Diocese – On November 8, 2018, the Diocese of Scranton announced the formation of the Independent Survivor Compensation Program (ISCP). Claimants must register with the program before July 31, 2019 and claims must be submitted to the Administrators by September 30, 2019.
Allentown Diocese – Survivor compensation plan to be determined.
Greensburg Diocese – The Diocese of Greensburg announced details of a Comprehensive Reconciliation Initiative to help survivors of clergy sexual abuse which includes a Survivors’ Compensation program administered by Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation, Inc. (CMCI) of Massachusetts. To participate in the program a claimant must submit a questionnaire to CMCI, completed and post-marked on or before May 28, 2019. CMCI will hear all claims and make settlement offers to the claimants within 60 days of the close of the initial claims phase, meaning on or before July 29, 2019.
Altoona-Johnstown Diocese – A private mediation-compensation program is in planning. More information will be made available upon its release from the Diocese.
Harrisburg Diocese - The Diocese of Harrisburg has opened the Survivor Compensation Program. This Program will be administered by Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation, Inc. (CMCI) of Massachusetts. The claims period will run for 90 days, from February 12, 2019 through May 13, 2019.
If you think you might be eligible for one of these Programs, we would like to talk with you. To speak with us, please complete our Confidential E-Contact form. Please be mindful that these Programs have strict deadlines so we encourage you to act promptly.
The Diocese of Providence oversees all parishes in the state of Rhode Island and with Catholics comprising 42% of the population, Rhode Island is the most Catholic state per capita in America. In the early 2000s a wave of clergy sexual abuse cases rocked the Catholic communities of Rhode Island. In 2002, the Diocese of Providence settled dozens of sexual abuse cases for $14 million. Rhode Island courts later ruled against the diocese which had fought to keep confidential the files of 83 priests who had faced accusations of abuse in the past. The Providence Journal reports that in 2007, details of cover up attempts made by Rhode Island church officials became public causing further pain amongst survivors and other parishioners.
According to a recent report in the Providence Journal, Providence Bishop Thomas J. Tobin has faced criticism over a 2018 Pennsylvania grand jury report that 300 priests had abused more than 1,000 children. The reason for the criticism is that from 1992-1996, Bishop Tobin was the auxiliary bishop of Pittsburgh, one of the dioceses named in the grand jury report. While Bishop Tobin was not named in the findings or questioned by investigators, some local parishioners still believe he bears moral responsibility. In December 2018, amid new pressure on the church, Bishop Tobin announced that the Providence diocese had begun gathering a list of names of priests who have been credibly accused of sexual assault and will release the list in 2019.
On January 31, 2019, the 15 Texas Catholic church dioceses released the names of approximately 300 priests who, over a period spanning almost 80 years, were “credibly accused” of sexually abusing children. With approximately 8.5million Catholics and 1,320 parishes in Texas, the numbers reported are likely to change as more survivors come forward.
In 2019, Governor Phil Scott signed a new law that repealed the previous six–year statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse to bring civil lawsuits against perpetrators. This includes victims whose claims had previously passed the statute of limitations and were time barred. This means that regardless of when an act of sexual abuse occurred and regardless of how old the victim now is, they can file a civil claim against their abuser and any institution potentially involved in the abuse. The is one of the strongest laws passed in the country to date in support of childhood victims of sexual abuse.
The Diocese of Burlington oversees all parishes in the state of Vermont. In October 2018, Burlington Bishop Christopher J. Coyne decided to join other dioceses nationwide that have released the names of priests who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse against children. A committee was appointed by Bishop Coyne that would review decades worth of records to determine which priests could “credibly” be added to the list if allegations satisfied one or more of the following thresholds: Natural, plausible and probable; corroborated with other evidence or another source; or acknowledged/admitted to by the accused. In August 2019, the diocese released a list of 40 names that they deemed credibly accused. In an effort to protect the victims’ identities, the committee did not release the details of allegations or when or where the abuse occurred.
While the list is a positive step forward, the committee admitted that the diocese’s record keeping system was inadequate and incomplete and has recommended the diocese adopt a formal tracking system and database or reported allegations. This could be taken to mean there are other priests who were not included on the list due to insufficient records but could be in the future. If you or a loved one were abused by a priest in Vermont, whether on the list or not, new legislation that has removed the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims and will allow you to bring civil claims against abusers regardless of when the abuse took place.
Disclaimer: Submission of information to The Meneo Law Group does not establish an attorney-client relationship and should not be viewed or understood as doing so. An attorney-client relationship can only be established by the agreement of both the attorney and the client and must be reduced to a written retainer agreement that has been signed by both parties.