My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I write to you today with news of profound significance for the Catholic Church of South Jersey and especially for those who have been harmed by clergy sexual abuse. Last week, the Official Committee of Tort Claimant Creditors (the Survivors’ Committee) unanimously agreed to accept the terms of a final bankruptcy settlement with the Diocese of Camden. The proposed plan establishes a trust of $180 million, funded by the Diocese, its Parishes and the various insurers that insured the Diocese in the past, which will be made available to resolve all claims of abuse upon approval by the Bankruptcy Court. * For the survivors of South Jersey, this day is long overdue and represents a milestone in their journey toward restored justice and the healing and recognition they have long sought and deserve.
To each one of those survivors, I would like to say: Thank you for your courage in coming forward. Without your bravery and persistence, this new day would not have dawned. I am profoundly sorry for what you have suffered. It was a grave sin and a devastating betrayal of the trust you placed in the Church that you loved. I cannot remove the scars you carry nor restore the innocence you lost, but on behalf of my predecessors and the faithful of Camden I can say clearly and without reservation: We believe you, we are sorry and we are committed to walking a different path going forward with you, God willing, at our side.
I have been humbled these past months by the trust you have shown me and others in the Diocese by sharing your stories with us. They were at once heart-breaking and awe-inspiring. You are living witnesses of the truth that where sin abounds grace abounds even more! I believe that as more of the faithful of South Jersey hear your stories, you will become prophets of a stronger and more transparent Church. I cannot wait to get to know you better and to work with you to rebuild trust and restore hope. Please know that you remain in my heart and in my prayers in the meantime.
To all the faithful of South Jersey: thank you for the patience and grace you have shown in this extremely painful chapter of our local Church’s history. I know that you will help me in the coming weeks and months to open wide the doors to Christ for all those who have been hurt by the Church.
To our priests, deacons, religious, diocesan employees, parish staff and educators: Thank you for remaining committed to the Gospel in the face of great challenges. Your integrity and perseverance matter. It may seem that today’s announcement is the end of a complex and sometime contentious legal process, but I invite you to see it as the beginning of a new day which allows our local Church to carry on its mission of making the name of Jesus known and loved in South Jersey with renewed vigor.
My approval of this agreement was given with the overwhelming support of the Diocese’s College of Consultors and the Diocesan Finance Council. I want to thank them for putting compassion for the survivors at the forefront of their decision-making and for their willingness, in final analysis, to make a significant financial stretch in order to make the Church’s concern for the survivors even more credible.
Finally, I would like to recognize the work of my predecessor, Bishop Dennis Sullivan, who promised to the survivors that he would implement the strongest safe environment policies in the country and who delivered on that promise. There is no greater way to honor the sufferings of those who have been harmed than to work day-in and day-out to make sure that something like this never happens again.
May Christ, who heals the brokenhearted and makes all things new, bless us all and make us one in Him.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Joseph A. Williams
Bishop of Camden
*You may recall that the United States Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Diocese of Camden’s reorganization plan back in 2024 which established a trust that was funded with $87.5 million from the Diocese and related Catholic entities.
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