HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s Roman Catholic dioceses said late Friday they are willing to set up a victims’ compensation fund as they face the prospect that state lawmakers will give victims of decades-old child sexual abuse another chance to sue the church. The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference issued the statement for the dioceses saying they were discussing a possible fund. They warned that if a window opens for litigation of old cases, it could force the dioceses into bankruptcy and prevent them from helping victims or performing social services. Both civil lawsuits and victims’ compensation funds may deliver money to victims who have suffered for years from the memories of their abuse as children, although there are crucial differences. A victim’s compensation fund protects diocesan records from court-ordered scrutiny but delivers a faster payout to victims.

Source: National Post September 21, 2018 21:34 UTC