New Jersey Catholic diocese settles for $87.5 million settlement with child sexual abuse survivors

The Camden Catholic diocese in New Jersey has entered into an $87.5 million settlement with victims of child abuse who were victimized by members of the church.

The victims who suffered sexual abuse will split an $87.5 million fund established by the diocese along with the help of other Catholic bodies.

In a statement on Tuesday, Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan said, “The Diocese of Camden, New Jersey is pleased that the mediation process has led to a settlement. I want to express my sincere apology to all those who have been affected by sexual abuse in our Diocese. My prayers go out to all survivors of abuse and I pledge my continuing commitment to ensure that this terrible chapter in the history of the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey never happens again.”

The Diocese of Camden is one of five dioceses in the state of New Jersey, but under state law they are all separate entities, and the other four were not subject to the lawsuit. The settlement will not be made official until early June, after bankruptcy lawyers have had a chance to settle on the language of the settlement and present it to the victims for their agreement.

The settlement will be disbursed by allocators to the 300 survivors over 4 years, according to an attorney for the victims. The Camden Diocese filed for bankruptcy in 2020, a common move by organizations who may be facing future legal trouble, and allows them to continue operating while they reorganize and raise funds to settle any upcoming suits.

“The Survivors’ Committee is pleased to have reached a consensual resolution of its disputes with the Diocese and looks forward to facilitating an expeditious distribution to survivors of sexual abuse,” said Counsel for the Survivors’ Committee, Jeffrey Prol, Esq.