Sex abuse victims say Norwich Diocese changed their compensation agreement

NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH) — Catholic church sex abuse victims and their lawyers are speaking out after the way the Norwich Diocese tried to change a compensation plan.

The Diocese said it is actually the victims who walked away from the existing plan, but the changes- and the delays- have victims angry.

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"I was lied to," said one victim, who asked not to be identified. "I was betrayed."

They are one of dozens saying they were sexually abused by members of the Catholic Church in the Norwich Diocese.

They say the betrayal started with the abuse. Much of that happened years ago at the Mount Saint John School for troubled boys in Deep River.

Facing all those abuse claims three years ago, the Norwich Diocese filed for bankruptcy. But the bishop at the time made a promise to abuse survivors.

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"The bankruptcy court will oversee a settlement that ensures that all survivors are included and treated fairly," Bishop Michael Cote said in July of 2021.

Lawyers for victims said they worked out a plan with the Diocese to create a $29 million trust to pay victims. Then, they say, the Diocese betrayed them again.

"The $29 million was cut in the plan filed by the Diocese recently by our calculations, it's about $3.2 million," said Kelly Reardon of the Reardon Law Firm, which represents 32 of the victims.

A public relations firm hired by the Diocese released a statement two weeks ago saying it was the victims who had abandoned the agreement and unilaterally withdrew from that plan.

Victims' lawyers say the Supreme Court ruling in the Purdue Pharma case changed how victims needed to be compensated and they had to draw up a new plan. They also say the Diocese has spent millions on lawyers and PR professionals instead of helping victims.

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"Why have they already paid their lawyers money to prepare 149 objections to all of the claims to challenge them?" Reardon said.

It's money they say can help with therapy and other issues stemming from the abuse.

"No amount of money in the world could erase the pain or erase what was done but somebody needs to be held accountable," one victim said.

The victims' lawyers said the next step is mediation. That is scheduled for November, and they said they will insist the Diocese get back closer to that $29 million number.

News 8 received the following statement from Louis DeLucia, who is presenting the Diocese: