Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP)
Phase II Protocol 

In June 2017, the Diocese of Brooklyn announced that “in its ongoing response to the sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy” the Diocese established the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program of Brooklyn, New York (IRCP) program. This program seeks “to promote healing and to bring some element of closure” by providing compensation to victim-survivors of abuse by priests or deacons of the Diocese. Some clergy of the Diocese of Brooklyn who allegedly sexually abused minors were: Fr. Joseph J. Weber, Fr. Brian Keller, Fr. Harold T. Cox, Fr. Kenneth Wicks, Fr. James Lara, Fr. Adam Prochaski, Fr. James Russo, and Fr. Herbert McElroy.

• Phase I of the Diocese of Brooklyn program was limited in scope to victims-survivors who, prior to prior to June 22, 2017, submitted a complaint of being sexually abused as a minor to the Diocese of Brooklyn.
• Phase II of the program allows all victims-survivors of sexual abuse by Diocese of Brooklyn clergy to seek compensation.

The deadline to register for Phase II of the Diocese of Brooklyn IRCP is March 31, 2018.

Under the terms of the Diocese of Brooklyn Phase II IRCP program, victims-survivors of sexual abuse by Diocese of Brooklyn clergy have until March 31, 2018 to register to participate in the compensation program. Those who do register by March 31, 2018 have until April 15, 2018 to submit their claims to the Diocese. 

If you wish to participate in Phase II of the Diocese of Brooklyn’s compensation program, this firm with the assistance of New York counsel can assist you in assembling the necessary papers and application for compensation. We have successfully represented clergy sexual abuse victims and survivors in obtaining compensation from a number of dioceses and religious orders in the United States.

If you file an application for compensation you are under no obligation to accept the financial offer of settlement by the Diocese of Brooklyn before you sign a Full Release of Liability. This Compensation Program applies to clergy sexual abuse victims and survivors who were sexually abused by clergy of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

It is important that your claim be properly prepared before being evaluated by the Administrators of the Compensation Program. For example, with regard to corroboration, historical records, such as medical records and therapy records, should be collected and reviewed, oral and written communications concerning the clergy sexual abuse should be examined and law enforcement records should be obtained and reviewed. The Administrators must find that the facts and circumstances of the claim of clergy sexual abuse demonstrate that the allegations are credible and that the clergy sexual abuse victim or survivor provides sufficient corroboration and proof to justify the payment of compensation.

The lack of sufficient corroboration and proof of the allegations of clergy sexual abuse will be taken into account by the Administrators in determining the credibility of the claim and eligibility for compensation. You are allowed to supplement your pending claim with additional information.

If you accept the settlement offer through the Compensation Program, the Diocese will require you to sign a Full Release of Liability waiving all future legal rights to bring a claim or an action against all responsive parties. You will not be bound by any kind of Confidentiality Agreement.

The Administrators expect to review claims and make payments to eligible claimants on a rolling basis.

Please note that the above statement is just a brief discussion of the Diocese of Brooklyn Compensation Program or Protocol and is no way exhaustive in the description of the Compensation Program or Protocol.