RVC Diocese Calls Amended Survivor Settlement Plan 'Unattainable'

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — The committee representing the survivors of child sexual abuse against the Diocese of Rockville Centre has filed an amended plan for reorganization as part of the church's Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The updated plan includes specific proposals for enhancing the protection of children in the care of the diocese and its affiliates.

The committee also amended the plan to include a protocol distribution of cash and assets getting transferred to a settlement trust and any settlement funds from the diocese parishes, affiliates and settling insurers.

"The Committee stands for the protection of children, transparency into the Diocese’s history of sexual abuse and fair compensation of survivors. With the filing of the Committee’s amended plan and disclosure statement, the Committee is moving forward towards the realization of all three goals. Sadly, the Diocese’s plan reflects a 'business as usual' attitude that is unjust and a threat to today’s kids," said Richard Tollner, Chair of the Committee.

Sean Dolan, spokesperson for the diocese, called the revised plan "as unattainable as its original plan."

The diocese has offered all available assets toward the survivors’ settlement fund, he said. Under the diocese plan, the survivors will receive a settlement in a timely manner without further litigation, which will only erode the assets available for the settlement," Dolan said.

The committee represents hundreds of sexual abuse victims.

A previous proposal would award between $185 million and $200 million to settle claims of more than 600 alleged victims, Patch reported.

"The Diocese asserts that its plan is fair and equitable because it allegedly may pay more than any other diocese that has gone through bankruptcy. This premise is unconscionable," said James Stang of Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP, bankruptcy counsel to the survivors' committee.