Parker Waichman LLP

Egan Does About-Face

Edward Cardinal Egan has scrapped a controversial plan to screen sexual abuse complaints against priests and agreed to send allegations directly to prosecutors, the Daily News has learned. The leader of the New York Archdiocese also plans to tap wealthy Catholic donors for a fund that would help falsely accused priests pay their legal bills. […]

Cardinal Egan

Edward Cardinal Egan has scrapped a controversial plan to screen sexual abuse complaints against priests and agreed to send allegations directly to prosecutors, the Daily News has learned.

The leader of the New York Archdiocese also plans to tap wealthy Catholic donors for a fund that would help falsely accused priests pay their legal bills.

Egan outlined his new policy in a letter mailed yesterday to Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau and to the other district attorneys in the 10-county, 2.4 million-parishioner archdiocese.

The plan departs sharply from one Egan announced last month in which a review panel of church officials and outside experts would have decided which allegations to report to law enforcement.

Victims’ advocates and prosecutors had criticized the proposed panel as a way for the church to continue covering up abuse.

Archdiocesan spokesman Joseph Zwilling said yesterday, “We met with the district attorneys. We heard and understood their concerns and revised our policy in an effort to cooperate as fully as possible.”

Egan’s new stance conforms with the position Brooklyn Bishop Thomas Daily announced late last month. Daily, whose diocese includes Queens, promised prosecutors he wouldn’t screen future complaints against priests.

Abuse Raps Straight to DA

a priest has sexually abused a minor

The new policy for the New York Archdiocese states: “When an archdiocesan official has reason to suspect that a priest has sexually abused a minor, the archdiocese will immediately refer the matter to the appropriate district attorney’s office for investigation.”

Zwilling said the policy means “allegations of sexual misconduct of minors involving priests will be turned over to prosecutors without a prior review.”

The letter also says that when church officials receive a complaint, “The complainant will be strongly urged to report the complaint immediately and directly to the appropriate district attorney’s office.”

Egan and Daily have shifted course on key issues as the nationwide pedophile priest scandal has unfolded in recent months.

They initially refused to turn over past allegations against priests, but then gave in amid mounting public pressure.

Despite his new get-tough stance, Egan has assured priests that he’ll fight for any clergyman wrongly accused. During a private meeting with priests last month at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, Egan announced plans to set up a legal defense fund for innocent priests.

“He said he would approach friends who are financially able to help to create a fund,” said the Rev. Aldo Tos, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Greenwich Village.

It was unclear how Egan would know which accused priests were innocent. Tos said Egan did not say whether the defense fund would pay for lawyers while allegations are being investigated or whether payments would be delayed until a priest was cleared of wrongdoing.

Need Legal Help Regarding Cardinal Egan?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

Further sex abuse resources:

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Responsiveness Pretty seamless process. You have responded proactively for us as our case moved through the victims compensation review process.
Jim Santello
2 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
An amazing Law firm that can explain the most obfuscated and complex issues with ease. The level of expertise and compassion is unparalleled to any I've experienced. From the initial consultation I was able to discern the meticulous attention to detail and the exceptional customer first philosophy. They kept me informed every step of the way, I was so happy that I chose the best law firm for my case. If you need an attorney that has your best interest at heart and more importantly deliver the compensation you deserve hire Parker Waichman LLP.
Angel Maldonado
6 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Jill was great she took care of me the best alway call to check up on me,great law firm
Trapt Genres
6 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038