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	Diocese on Track with Compensation for Victims of Sexual Abuse Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. George's in CNW Group January 11, 2008 http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2008/10/c8123.html CORNER BROOK, NL - The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation (RCEC) of St. George's continues to be in full compliance with the terms of the court-approved proposal to compensate victims of sexual abuse. The proposal, the terms of which were negotiated with the full and willing participation of legal counsel for the victims, was accepted by the victims and approved by the Supreme Court of Newfoundland & Labrador in July 2005. Since that time the Corporation's representatives have engaged in full disclosure in their meetings with the Trustee Advisory Committee, established as a requirement under the court-approved proposal. At its most recent meeting held yesterday, January 9, Mr. Greg Stack, counsel for 36 of the 40 victims, was present as a member of the committee. Under the terms of the proposal the Corporation was to liquidate all of the Corporation's assets for the benefit of the victims in a fully transparent process. The Corporation has thus far been successful in its compensation strategy; $7.8 million of the $14 million settlement has been paid to the victims to date. The $7.8 million was raised through donations and loans from across Canada to purchase the churches, halls and residences of the Corporation at their fair market value, ensuring that the victims received the highest possible value for these transactions. The Corporation is diligently working in good faith to honour the terms of the compensation proposal. It is currently pursuing complex legal action against its various insurers, seeking damages of approximately $15 Million. The victims' counsels have been aware that the timing of receipt of any insurance proceeds is uncertain due to the complexity of the litigation. The court considered this uncertainty and built in flexibility for the Trustee Advisory Committee to approve extensions of time for the Corporation to make its payment instalments to the victims. Requests for extensions were submitted to and approved by the Trustee Advisory Committee. (Because this case with the insurers is before the courts, the Corporation will make no further public comment). NOTE: Bishop Douglas Crosby is currently out of the country and will not be available for interviews until his return January 21, 2008. For further information: Margaret McLaughlin, (519) 439-0646, margaret@excaliburcommunications.ca
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