Some Victims of Abuse Say They Will Not Accept Money from the Diocese

By Jackie Roberts
Your Erie
August 30, 2018

https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/some-victims-of-abuse-say-they-will-not-accept-money-from-the-diocese/1407537869

Bishop Lawrence Persico is calling to create a fund to compensate victims of clergy sexual abuse... but not everyone is on board.

Survivors are responding to the bishop's announcement, saying their fight is not about money; it's about exposing the truth and protecting kids.

In the wake of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, Bishop Lawrence Persico announced an initiative to compensate victims monetarily. The bishop is working alongside Senator Joe Scarnati. A letter from the Diocese of Erie says Persico and Scarnati understand that no dollar amount can make amends for what occurred.

The statement reads, in part, "they believe that the many victims who were unable to seek justice because of Pennsylvania's statute of limitations deserve this alternative response".

But, victims of priest sexual abuse say that's not enough. Jim VanSickle says he was abused by a priest. "The people that I'm speaking to do not talk about money in this case. We want justice. We want to be able to civilly see our predator in court."