In federal bankruptcy court in Buffalo, N.Y. Tuesday, there was a hearing for the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and creditors setting framework to pay $150 million to hundreds of victims of clergy sexual abuse.
Additional collateral such as property was also mentioned as something to be added to the eventual formal agreement. Non-monetary changes such as increased “child safety protocols” were included as well.
For some victims, like Gary Astridge, the money is not enough.
“There's really not much there,” Astridge said. “Being a child and being sexually abused and raped from the ages of seven to 11, it affects you through your whole life, and something inside you goes dead.”
Astridge feels like the settlement framework still lacks accountability for those who abused him.
“I listen to what happened today [in court], it's like the church still isn't accountable,” he said. “You know, money is something important to them. Okay, we're going to get a piece of that, but no one's accountable. No one's going to prison.”
Outside of the Robert H. Jackson Courthouse, Buffalo Bishop Michael Fisher called the agreement a big step forward.
“This is an opportunity to for us to help bring restitution and any kind of healing that we can to those survivors and those who have been abused by clergy and others in the past,” the bishop said. “Today, I think was a step forward in resolving that.”
Abuse from clergy in Buffalo was widespread, with victims claims dating back decades. Richard Brownell, who said he was sexually abused by a priest in the 1960s, said the legal process has been too drawn out.
“I think they have a very well laid plan. We got the highest percentage with respect to the money on hand to pay claims,” said Brownell. “[But] this is way out of line, this is taking way too long. I think that the church hasn't done everything that they could do to settle this in a timely manner. They cleaned house in the process and put the blame on the victims.”
The diocese and creditors will meet over the next few days for continued talks regarding the agreement, with those familiar with process saying a formal plan should be signed by September. The two sides are expected back in court in Buffalo June 4.
