December 5, 2022

Season of Advent

Dear Family of the Archdiocese of New York,

        As we begin a new Church year during this season of Advent, let me bring you up to date on the progress we are making in our ongoing response to the civil suits against the archdiocese resulting from the sexual abuse of minors in the past, occasioned by the enactment of the Child Victims’ Act here in New York State.

        For the last two decades, since we bishops committed ourselves to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, we have been guided by three principles: One, to make sure that our cherished young people are loved and safe in all Church programs, schools, parishes, activities, and organizations. Leading professionals believe that our youth are indeed safer and more protected than at any time in the past. Annual assessments by external forensic agencies, an ongoing overview of our high standards by preeminent former federal Judge Barbara Jones, and rigorous enforcement of our assurance that no person against whom there has been a substantiated allegation of abuse can be in ministry or service to our Archdiocese assure our commitments. Required background checks and safe environment training ensure and strengthen those efforts.

       Two, we have been as open and transparent by disclosing and alerting you, our people, whenever credible accusations are made.

      Three, we have been vigorous in our outreach by providing victims’ assistance and doing everything we can do to foster safe environments.

      Importantly, we undertook a program to provide compensation to time-barred victim claims, before there was even a legal obligation to do so, realizing that financial remuneration is essential to our commitment to heal past transgressions and hopefully achieve reconciliation for the future.

     Our Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program resolved the claims of over 300 people. Some who participated in this IRCP expressed their gratitude for the sensitive and compassionate way that they were treated. Much more needs to be done.

     Our commitment to recompense and reconciliation must and shall continue. Any person with a meritorious claim under the law should receive fair compensation. By its nature the litigation process is a long one, made more complex by Covid and crowded court calendars, and some of the lawsuits require the participation of insurance companies for resolution. Recognizing that time is on the march, and also eager to do whatever we can to facilitate resolutions, I have directed our archdiocese to undertake an initiative to try and resolve those meritorious lawsuits which do not require insurer approval or participation. I am, of course, hopeful that our insurers follow the same path to help expedite settlement of credible suits.

       I am grateful to all of you: our people, our priests and deacons, religious sisters and brothers, employees, volunteers, our monitoring agencies, our vigilant law enforcement officials, and our diligent Child Victims’ Act judges, for helping us continue to make progress in achieving our unwavering goals.

      As difficult as it is for you to hear about these important issues, in righting yesterday’s wrongs and ensuring safe and loving environments today and tomorrow, I’ll continue to do my very best to keep you posted on our efforts.

     A blessed Advent.

     Faithfully in Christ,

    †Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan

     Archbishop of New York