NY archdiocese offers compensation to abuse victims

NEW YORK — Victims of clergy sex abuse willing to forego lawsuits against New York's Roman Catholic archdiocese can seek compensation through a new church fund announced Thursday, but any records of such abuse and what the church did about problem priests will remain private.

The program will be led by Kenneth Feinberg, who managed the federal compensation fund for Sept. 11 victims, with oversight by former New York Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly, among others.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the New York archbishop, said he created the fund because victims have said they need "a tangible sign of the church's outreach and sense of reparation."

http://www.startribune.com/ny-archdiocese-begins-compensation-program-for-abuse-victims/396165681/