Catholic insurer folds, but abuse payouts to stand

A joint statement from Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, President, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Father Peter Jones OSA, President, Catholic Religious Australia.

Following today’s announcement that Catholic Church Insurance is voluntarily being placed in a run-off situation, we restate our commitment to responding with justice and compassion to victims and survivors of abuse in Catholic settings – as we have sought to do for many years.

The bishops and leaders of religious institutes, who reiterate today our apology for the abuse that has occurred in the Church, will continue to work towards justice and healing for the crimes and sins that took place, where that is possible, including through the payment of compensation.

The Catholic Church Insurance run-off also means that Church entities that have been insured with CCI will need to find new insurers. We are supporting Catholic ministries currently insured with CCI to ensure continuity of general insurance cover, and we are confident that will be achieved.