BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN)....While it is true that cash settlements with more than 850 victims from the Diocese of Buffalo sexual abuse cases is forthcoming, what the survivors are looking for is something more basic.
An apology.
"All of the victims deserve an apology," said Ruth MacAlister - one of six abuse survivors committee members who was allowed to meet with meet with the media. "But, I don't see that coming."
After more than six years of legal wrangling, a $326 million settlement will be paid to 850 Diocese sex abuse survivors, with the funds expected to be released later this year, or by early 2027, says Buffalo attorney Steve Boyd, who represented a large number of the survivors.
"This has been a long haul for all of the survivors," Boyd said.
With approval from the U.S. Trustees Office, six of the survivors were allowed to briefly meet and answer questions from the media Monday morning. It marked the first time since the case against the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo began more than six years ago that members of the survivors committee could publicly speak with the media.
The six were: MacAlister, Anne Marie Dempsey, Howard Zwelling, Scott Yerger, Richard Brownell and Peter Starks.
Some, like Dempsey, said she has lost her faith in the church - something that meant a lot to her growing up.
"After what we went through, how can you still have faith," Dempsey said.
Brownell said he blames the Diocese for ignoring reports of abuse and dismissing any claims made until the brevity of the issue became public more than a decade ago.
"The church is remiss in not standing up," Brownell said. "What happened....these were crimes...they allowed laws of society to be broken."
The mental wounds continue to haunt abuse survivors, said Scott Yerger, a member of the survivors committee.
"These crimes stay with your forever," Yerger said.
Diocese abuse survivors discuss pending settlement
Diocese abuse survivors discuss pending settlement
