Archdiocese of New York Announces New Program for People Sexually Abused by Priests

The Archdiocese of New York has created a new program for people who have been sexually abused by priests. Victims who are willing to forego lawsuits will be able to request compensation for their pain.

Joseph Zwilling, the Director of Communications for the Archdiocese, hopes the program will have an impact on these victims. "This is an attempt for the archdiocese to help heal the wounds that so many people continue to feel", he says.

Others, however, have a different interpretation. David Clohessy is the diretor of an organization called The Survivor Network of Those Abused by Priests. He says the best way for victims to heal is by exposing their abusers in court. He and his organization think this program is a way to discourage people from doing so.  "We strongly suspect it's a quid pro quo. We'll give you some cash, and you'll never take us to court", he says.

The archdiocese will take out loans to pay for the compensations, but it is not yet known where the money will come from.