Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP)
Protocol 

In February 2018, the Diocese of Syracuse announced the establishment of the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP). This program seeks to provide compensation to victim-survivors of abuse by priests or deacons of the Diocese of Syracuse.

The Diocese of Syracuse IRCP program is limited in scope to victims-survivors who prior to February 14, 2018 submitted a complaint of being sexually abused as a minor to the Diocese of Syracuse.

The Diocese of Syracuse has stated that, following the conclusion of this program, it will decide whether to expand the program to include new complaints of sexual abuse by priests or deacons of the Diocese of Syracuse.

The deadline to submit a claim for the Diocese of Syracuse IRCP is June 18, 2018.

If you are a victim or survivor of sexual abuse by clergy of the Diocese of Syracuse, and you submitted a complaint prior to February 14, 2018 of being sexually abused as a minor to the Diocese of Syracuse, and it helps you try to heal then you should consider applying for the Compensation Program. If you have been invited to participate in this program and you want to participate, you should be aware that the deadline to submit a claim is June 18, 2018. It is advisable to begin your application as soon as possible.

Even if you have not been invited to participate in this program, we recommend that you notify the Diocese of Syracuse of your claim in the event that the Diocese of Syracuse expands its program to new complaints of sexual abuse.

If you wish to participate in the Diocese of Syracuse’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 Syracuse before you sign a Full Release of Liability.

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.

The deadline to submit a claim is on or before June 18, 2018. If you accept the settlement offer, 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 Syracuse Compensation Program or Protocol and is no way exhaustive in the description of the Compensation Program or Protocol.