South Jersey Diocese to Compensate Abuse Survivors with $180 Million Settlement
The Diocese of Camden offered a $180 million deal to handle allegations from hundreds of clergy members who sexually abused children. After years of litigation, the diocese reached this deal as part of its bankruptcy proceedings.
The diocese, its parishes, and various insurance firms that covered the church will reimburse the settlement. Church leaders said the plan involves a trust to compensate survivors financially.
Bishop Joseph Williams called the payment a long-awaited justice for victims. He wrote to diocese members about survivors’ suffering and apologised for the harm. “I am deeply sorry for your suffering. “It was a terrible sin and betrayal of your trust in the church you loved,” the bishop wrote. He stressed that the church will support survivors and prevent such atrocities, even if money cannot erase trauma.
Following a rise in New Jersey Independent Victims Compensation Program claims, the diocese filed for bankruptcy in 2020. These claims were costly, therefore the church sought an organized legal solution.
Legal representatives of survivors praised their fortitude and noted that the payment is much greater than the diocese’s 2021 reorganization plan. Negotiating attorneys praised the survivors for their determination in seeking accountability, calling the deal a milestone in their healing.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court will approve the settlement and decide survivor compensation. Beyond monetary compensation, the diocese has agreed to non-financial measures, including full access to accused priests’ data during five years of litigation.
The Diocese of Camden governs nearly 500,000 Catholics in 62 parishes in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties. This $180 million payout is large, but it is smaller than the $880 million Archdiocese of Los Angeles deal in 2024 for identical abuse claims.
Bishop Williams said the College of Consultors and Diocesan Finance Council strongly supported the deal. Both entities stressed compassion for survivors and a willingness to donate to show the church’s commitment to righting wrongs.
Attorneys for survivors said the deal shows accountability, acknowledges previous mistakes, and promotes healing and justice. They expect the bankruptcy lawsuit to aid survivors’ recuperation.
An major step in holding religious institutions accountable for past atrocities, the settlement recognizes and compensates individuals who endured years of quiet and neglect.
Sources:
- Diocese of Camden Official Announcements
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Records
- New Jersey Independent Victims Compensation Program
