Q. What is The Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program (IRRP)?

A. The IRRP was an independent settlement and reconciliation program for survivors of sexual abuse by clergy of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Launched on November 8, 2018, the IRRP was focused on providing a path toward healing, regardless of when the abuse occurred through a compassionate and voluntary process, which is wholly independent of the Archdiocese, where survivors submitted claims that were resolved in a prompt and fair manner with a focus on compassion and dignity. In addition to monetary compensation, the IRRP offered support from a Victim Support Facilitator to assist survivors throughout the claims process. The IRRP supplemented initiatives and Victim Assistance Programs already undertaken by the Archdiocese to address the sexual abuse of minors by clergy of the Archdiocese.

Q. Why was the IRRP created?

A. The IRRP was created to assist survivors in the healing process and to provide monetary compensation in a compassionate, non-adversarial, confidential environment. The IRRP built upon and expanded the Archdiocese’s Victim Assistance Program that has been in place since 2002.
 

Q. Who created the IRRP?

A. The IRRP was created with input from survivors, advocates and two nationally recognized claims administration experts (Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille Biros). The Administrators had complete autonomy to determine eligibility of individual claims and the amount of compensation for survivors that came forward with a claim. In addition, a highly regarded and experienced victim’s advocate (Lynn Shiner), served as the Victim Support Facilitator to support survivors, assist them in submitting claims, and connect them to resources. There was also an Independent Oversight Committee, with Federal Judge Lawrence Stengel (Ret.) serving as Chair, tasked with overseeing the successful implementation and administration of the IRRP.
 

Q. How did IRRP settlements work?

A. The independent Administrators of the Program (Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille Biros) had complete autonomy to determine eligibility and amount of compensation and their decisions were fully binding. If a survivor decided to accept the settlement offered by the Administrators, the survivor signed a release of all past and future claims. Upon the survivor’s acceptance of the settlement and receipt of the signed release, prompt payment was delivered to the survivor. In addition, survivors were offered independent short- and long-term counseling services through the Archdiocese’s Victim Assistance Program.
 

Q. Where does the IRRP stand now?

A. A total of 812 individuals came forward to the IRRP and 623 of them submitted formal claims. The Archdiocese paid $78,465,000 to resolve 438 claims fully.  Of the remainder, 144 claims were denied by the administrators; 21 claimants rejected the offer made by the administrators; 15 claimants did not complete the process by the deadline; 3 claims remain pending with the administrators; and 2 claimants withdrew from the process.
 

Q. When did claims have to be submitted to the IRRP?

A. The IRRP implemented a broad claims submission process which allowed claims to be filed through September 30, 2019.
 

Q. What if more victims/survivors come forward?

A. Although the IRRP claims submission period has now passed, survivors who did not submit a claim with the IRRP still have access to all services available through the Archdiocese’s Victim Assistance Program, including mental health services, medication, therapy, and more. They also have access to the program’s Victim Support Facilitator working in conjunction with the IRRP.
 

Q. How did the Archdiocese reach out to survivors?

A. The IRRP casted a wide net to survivors both known and unknown. The program was communicated by the Archdiocese, by the IRRP Claims Administrators, through direct emails, through the public media, through parishes, and third parties not affiliated with the Archdiocese or the IRRP. A packet of information was sent to all survivors who had previously reported a claim of abuse that was known to the Archdiocese. Conducting such a broad and multi-faceted outreach effort was the best way to ensure equal knowledge about and access to the program.
 

Q. What is the difference between the IRRP and civil litigation?

A. Civil litigation is a time-consuming, expensive and difficult process for everyone involved. Therefore, we took a more proactive approach by reaching out to victims broadly instead of litigating every claim. This method honors our commitment to survivors and enables the Archdiocese to steward resources in a prudent fashion. Most importantly, the IRRP was a voluntary, independent, non-judicial process which allowed the Archdiocese to quickly provide compensation as well as other support services.
 

Q. How did the Archdiocese fund the IRRP obligations?

A. The financial plan was funded through the sale of Archdiocesan assets, borrowing, and risk mitigation payments from related ecclesiastical entities.
 

Q. What are risk mitigation payments?

A. These are payments made by related ecclesiastical entities to help fund IRRP commitments to resolve claims for the benefit of the entire Archdiocesan community and to ensure maximum compensation is available for survivors.
 

Q. What Archdiocesan properties were sold to fund the IRRP?

A. In September 2019, the Archdiocese announced it had entered into a Master Development Agreement which granted Master Developer a 99-year ground lease for certain portions of the Cathedral Block. The Archdiocese will continue to utilize the Cathedral and Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, which are not subject to the ground lease. In addition, the Saint John Vianney Center purchased itself from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in June 2020.
 

Q. How did the Archdiocese decide which assets to sell?

A. The Archdiocese focused on the disposition of assets that would generate the greatest available proceeds to fund the IRRP while preserving the overall mission of the Church for the benefit of the faithful.
 

Q. What impact does the statute of limitations have on the IRRP?

A. The statute of limitations had no effect on the IRRP. The IRRP was established to assist survivors regardless of the legal status or time-barred nature of their potential claims. Although the IRRP claims submission period has passed, survivors who did not submit a claim with the IRRP still have access to all the services available under the Archdiocese’s Victim Assistance Program, including mental health services, medication, therapy and more.
 

Q. What is meant by shared responsibility?

A. As a united human family, it is our Christian obligation to assist and support survivors and our fellow Catholics. It is the responsibility of each one of us to take steps toward increased emotional and spiritual healing in our community. We ask that everyone come together in a community effort to help support survivors. Pray for them, reach out in compassion and understanding, and offer a hand in fellowship.
 

Q. How can the faithful help survivors?

A. You can help by praying for the survivors and their healing. Reach out in compassion and understanding, and offer a hand in fellowship. You may also refer them to aoppledgetoprotect.com for additional healing resources.
 

Q. In addition to financial compensation, how else did the Archdiocese helping survivors?

A. A Victim’s Support Facilitator was added to the IRRP to help survivors submit IRRP claims and connect them to resources. In addition, the Archdiocese offered broader assistance through its Victim Assistance Program to address emotional, psychological, and pastoral needs when desired by victims/survivors of sexual abuse or their family members. The Archdiocese has invested nearly $26 million in Victim Assistance Programs to assist survivors on their path to healing through mental health services, medication, therapy either Church-based or secular, and more; plus more than $8.6 million in Safe Environment Initiatives such as background checks and training programs. These programs are ongoing. Lastly, The Victim Support Facilitator, Oversight Committee, and Archdiocese established internal best practices for the Archdiocese, including reviewing current policies to improve interactions with victims/survivors, prevent future harm, and protect public safety.
 

Q. Other organizations have had to declare bankruptcy related to sexual abuse claims. What steps have been taken by the Archdiocese to avoid bankruptcy?

A. Each organization has a unique path based on their circumstances. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia took a proactive path with the IRRP. It provided an expedited means to resolve claims and provide financial and emotional support to survivors. The Archdiocese adopted a comprehensive financial plan which provided funding for the IRRP while also allowing the other missions of the Archdiocese to continue in order to serve the needs of the faithful.