Never too late for justice

The victims of Harvey Weinstein and other sex abusers now come to light are tragically often victimized again by outdated laws that thwart justice for long-ago offenses. One ray of hope is the independent compensation program Timothy Cardinal Dolan honorably set up to try to offer some sense of peace to people who were victims of sex abuse by clergy in the New York Archdiocese, which is Staten Island, Manhattan, the Bronx and points north.

Run by notable experts Ken Feinberg and Camille Biros, who oversaw the original 9/11 victims fund, claims are being addressed and offers of payment made. It is working. The process is fair and fast. Not one victim has rejected a payment so far.

Today, Nov. 1, is the deadline to inform the fund of a claim you wish to pursue. It’s easy; anyone who was abused by clergy no matter when should submit their name, address and basic facts about the incidents to Feinberg and Biros, who operate under strict confidentially.

Feinberg and Biros are running identical programs for the Brooklyn Diocese, which includes Queens, and the diocese covering Long Island.

Hopefully New York’s laws on sex offenses against minors, which foreclose justice due to a restrictive statute of limitations, will be repaired. Until then, these funds are there.