Greensburg Diocese launches compensation, counseling program for sex abuse victims
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg announced a program to support child victims of clergy sexual abuse Wednesday.
The Compensation Reconciliation Initiative involves compensation for survivors, independent mediation and counseling, regardless of statutes of limitations. It is open to those who identified themselves as survivors by Feb. 26 and allege sexual abuse committed against them when they were under 18 by someone involved with the diocese.
鈥淚 want to be sure we do everything possible to assist survivors in the healing process,鈥� said Bishop Edward C. Malesic. 鈥淭heir stories, their pain and their anguish have had a tremendous impact on me. This is more than a compensation fund. This is a commitment to listening to and supporting the same people we have failed to protect.鈥�
The diocese, which serves Fayette, Westmoreland, Armstrong and Indiana counties, said last fall they would address the needs of survivors following the release of a state Supreme Court grand jury report in August identifying 301 鈥減redator priests鈥� across Pennsylvania. The report found numerous cases of child abuse had been reported and covered up by church officials in six Roman Catholic dioceses over a 70-year-period.
Since then, two local church officials were removed from their roles pending investigations. An investigation continues into Monsignor Michael W. Matusak, who was removed as pastor of four Uniontown parishes after a woman reported he abused her during the 1990s at St. Pius X in Mount Pleasant. At the time of his removal, he was pastor of St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, St. Mary (Nativity) and St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus. Law enforcement is continuing its investigation into the allegation, according to diocese spokesman Jerry Zufelt.
In December, the Westmoreland County District Attorney closed an investigation into Rev. Joseph E. Bonafed regarding an allegation of inappropriate contact in about 1991 or 1992. The district attorney鈥檚 office said the statute of limitations on the allegations passed in 2002. Bonafed most recently served as the pastor of Holy Family Parish in West Newton and St. Edward Parish in Herminie.
鈥淔ather Joseph E. Bonafed remains on leave as the diocese examines the allegation against him in relation to Church law,鈥� Zufelt said.
The diocese will also examine any violations of church law following the criminal investigation into allegations made against Matusak. He also remains on leave.
Neither man was named in the grand jury report.
The Survivors Compensation Program will be administered by attorneys Paul Finn and Brian J. Mone of Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation, Inc. (CMCI), a private dispute and resolution company specializing in mediation and arbitration services.
鈥淭he mediators will be completely independent from the diocese and will offer to meet with every claimant during the process,鈥� a diocese press release said in part. The Diocese of Greensburg will not participate in the process and will have no input into settlement offers made by CMCI. The total amount of the settlement offer will be determined by criteria established by CMCI alone.鈥�
Those who decline in-person meetings will still be eligible for compensation.
鈥淭he reconciliation initiative will address the needs of victim survivors regardless of the time frames currently in place for the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits,鈥� the press release said. 鈥淭he expedited process will enable eligible survivors of clergy sexual abuse as a minor to be heard and compensated. The diocese will also continue to provide support, counseling, spiritual guidance and pastoral care.鈥�
CMCI oversaw similar programs in archdioceses and dioceses in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Wisconsin and Mississippi and others.
鈥淎ll the information we received about Mr. Finn, Mr. Mone and CMCI indicated their interactions with victims are compassionate and comprehensive,鈥� Malesic said.
Any allegations reported through the program will be reported through ChildLine, a mandated reporting line, and to the district attorney, unless law enforcement was already contacted.
The claims period will run from Feb. 27 to May 28. The diocese will decide whether to open subsequent claims periods before July 29.
Compensation will not use assets from schools or parishes. The diocese said it would disclose all funds used once the claims period is closed.
For more information or to file a claim, visit www.dioceseofgreensburg.org or www.commonwealthmediation.com.