Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP)
Protocol 

On March 1, 2018, the Diocese of Buffalo 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 Buffalo.

The Diocese of Buffalo IRCP program is currently limited in scope to victims-survivors who, prior to March 1, 2018, submitted to the Diocese of Buffalo a complaint that he or she had been sexually abused as a minor by clergy of the Diocese of Buffalo.

Claims must be submitted for the Diocese of Buffalo IRCP no later than June 1, 2018.

If you are a victim or survivor of sexual abuse by clergy of the Diocese of Buffalo, and you submitted a complaint prior to March 1, 2018 of being sexually abused as a minor to the Diocese of Buffalo, and it helps you try to heal then you should consider applying for the Compensation Program. If you want to participate in this program, you should be aware that you must submit your claim no later than June 1, 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 Buffalo of your claim in the event that the Diocese of Buffalo expands its program to new complaints of sexual abuse.

If you wish to participate in the Diocese of Buffalo’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 Buffalo 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.

Those participating in the Diocese of Buffalo IRCP must submit claims no later than June 1, 2018. If you accept the settlement offer, the Diocese will require you to sign an Agreement and General Release 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.

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