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Greensburg Diocese pays more than $4 million to clergy sexual abuse survivors

By Alyssa Choiniere achoiniere@heraldstandard.Com 2 min read
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The Diocese of Greensburg has paid $4,350,020 to 57 survivors of clergy sexual abuse through its Survivor’s Compensation Program, which was established in February, the diocese announced Thursday.

“I want to be sure we do everything possible to assist survivors in the healing process. Their stories, their pain and their anguish have had a tremendous impact on me,” Bishop Edward C. Malesic said. “Survivors’ pain often lasts a lifetime, and it also impacts the people around them. This is about more than monetary compensation. This is a commitment to listening to and supporting the same people we have failed to protect and trying to help them heal.”

The program was established to support those who were sexually abused as minors by a priest, deacon or seminarian within the Greensburg diocese, or by a clergy member from another religious order who was active within the diocese at the time of the abuse.

The diocese includes 78 parishes in Fayette, Westmoreland, Armstrong and Indiana counties.

The program also provides for counseling, spiritual guidance and pastoral care for survivors. The complaints were mediated through Paul Finn of Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation, Inc., which executed settlement agreements and met with those who requested face-to-face meetings, according to a press release from the diocese.

An additional six claims are currently unresolved.

No settlements were paid through schools or parishes, or through property sales, diocese officials said.

“To date, the Diocese of Greensburg’s self-insurance program has funded 84% of the settlements; 14% has been funded by the Plant Fund and 2% by investment earnings,” said Sheila Murray, the diocese’s chief financial officer.

Survivors are eligible for the program regardless of the statute of limitations. Allegations which had not previously been reported to law enforcement were reported through PA ChildLine and the counties’ district attorney.

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