Camden Diocese Now Proposes $27M For Abuse Victims

CAMDEN, NJ — The Diocese of Camden has reached a settlement with its insurers to provide more than $27 million toward a trust fund that will go to survivors of child sex abuse within the diocese, officials announced.

The announcement comes two weeks after the Diocese submitted a plan of reorganization that offered $26 million to survivors. Read more here: $26M For Abuse Victims Proposed By Diocese Of Camden

The settlement was reached after 10 hours of negotiations in Newark, with the assistance of Court-appointed Mediator, the Honorable José Linares, United States District Judge (Retired), on Oct. 21, according to the Diocese.

However, attorneys representing the victims told the Courier Post the offer is “not acceptable,” saying the Diocese’s insurance carriers could offer victims $140 million or more.

Unfortunately, the survivor committee has not yet made a bona fide demand, the Diocese said in its statement.

“Name calling is not negotiating,” Diocesan lead attorney Richard D. Trenk, Esq. of Trenk Isabel P.C. said in the statement. “There is now $53 million available for survivors. Approximately 300 bona fide claims were filed by the June 30th Bar Date. Everyone has had an opportunity to review the claims and all parties understand the extent of claims, the need to get survivors settlement funds, and the need for the Diocese, parishes and other Catholic entities to move forward in order to serve the faithful and the greater community.”

The Diocese previously said it was hoping for a quick approval from the federal bankruptcy judge, as its funds were being depleted and $11 million that could have gone to victims had already been spent on legal fees.

A previous plan that would have provided $10 million to survivors was rejected earlier this year, according to the Courier Post.

The Diocese of Camden serves parishioners in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties.