CNA Staff, Aug 3, 2020 / 16:21 pm
The Diocese of Camden, New Jersey said July 31 it will suspend its participation in an independent compensation program for minor victims of clerical abuse, citing a "precipitous decline in revenue resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic."
"[The diocese] is fast approaching a point where it will not be able to continue to borrow the funds necessary to pay the amounts awarded by the Program," the diocese said in a July 31 statement.
The five dioceses of New Jersey announced in February 2019 the creation of the Independent Victim Compensation Program (IVCP) for victims of sexual abuse as minors by clerics in the state.
The Camden diocese began its participation in the program during June 2019. Although awards to victims already made by the program's administrators will be paid, the diocese is instituting a moratorium on further determinations or awards, it said.