The Archdiocese of Newark is moving forward with a victims' compensation fund, launched in response to widespread allegations of clergy abuse over the past decades — even as some victims and advocates have expressed skepticism about the effort.

Representatives of the New Jersey Catholic Conference met Tuesday to determine how to implement the Victim Compensation and Counseling Program, which will be funded by the five Catholic dioceses of New Jersey: Newark, Camden, Trenton, Paterson and Metuchen.

Kenneth Feinberg, who served as the special master of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund, is a consultant for the archdiocese, along with his associate Camile Biros, who fulfilled a similar role for the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn.

The archdiocese says its goal is a statewide protocol enabling survivors of sexual abuse "to share their experiences to an independent auditor, and to obtain financial compensation for the harms they have sustained," including those whose financial claims are barred due to the statute of limitations.

The New Jersey Catholic Church has paid out over $50 million in financial settlements to victims, according to the Newark Archdiocese.

But some clergy abuse victims say they are not impressed by the recent action by the Catholic Church, calling its efforts too little, too late.

Joe Capozzi, a victims advocate from Ridgefield who came forward with accusations against his family's priest in 2005, is urging other victims to do whatever they need to for their own peace of mind and healing, whether it be accepting money from the church, suing the church or fighting to change the laws that protect the institutions and predators.He is also encouraging abuse survivors to call the hotline so that their voices can be heard.

For his part, however, "The compensation fund is a last-ditch attempt to look good. But it's too late."

Many survivors say they reached out to the archdiocese, not for money, but because they wanted to ensure that their abusers would not be able to harm anyone else. Instead, they say, they were paid off for their silence while the abusive priests continued working in the church.

Cardinal Joseph Tobin, the archbishop of Newark, said that along with the compensation program, the names of all priests and deacons who have been credibly accused of abusing children will be made public by the New Jersey Catholic Church in early 2019.

An investigation in Pennsylvania last summer uncovered more than 1,000 victims of sexual abuse by some 300 priests, including at least four who spent part of their ministries in New Jersey. Since then, accusations have poured in against order priests, as well as diocesan priests in New Jersey.

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But officials at the Archdiocese of Newark say the current initiative will include only diocesan priests who have worked in New Jersey. Those who belong to religious orders operate independently.

That was the roadblock that Johnrocco Sibilia encountered. The Newark native said that when he called the archdiocese to report his family priest for sexual abuse, he was brushed off because the Roman Catholic priest was with the Vocationist Fathers, which is another order.

"I didn't come forward because I wanted anything. I just wanted to be sure that he couldn't do it to anyone else," he said. "I guess it's a good thing that they recognize now that they have to take care of the people, but I can't say it's moving forward."

Sibilia recently received an email from the archdiocese saying they had located the priest, and he's now part of the Catholic Church and in Brazil. But thus far, Sibilia has not been offered any counseling or financial compensation.

"I'm disappointed," he said. "I thought once I came forward it would be investigated and taken care of. But I haven't heard anything."

Others ascribe sinister motives to the church for pursuing the compensation program.

Robert Hoatson of West Orange, a former priest and the founder of the non-profit Road to Recovery, which aids survivors of sexual abuse, said: "What Cardinal Tobin is attempting to do by announcing this program is to prevent the Child Victims Act from being passed in New Jersey."

That bill, before the Senate and Assembly, aims to eliminate the statute of limitations for victims of child sexual abuse and hold institutions accountable for failing to protect children. Current laws demand that civil action be filed within two years after a victim turns 18.

"Everyone needs to have the opportunity for their day in court, even though some people would prefer to just have counseling and compensation," Hoatson said. "We don't want the compensation program to prevent the legislation from passing. Everyone should have access to the courthouse."

Capozzi, the advocate from Ridgefield, said: "There were a total of four credible accusations made against my abuser, the accusations were deemed credible and he was allowed to retire with benefits. I was recently notified that he lives at St. John Vianney in Rutherford, a retirement home for priests, overseeing liturgical services."

Capozzi settled with the Archdiocese of Newark in 2006, for $50,000.

"Dealing with the archdiocese was almost as bad as the abuse I experienced," he said. "They cannot police themselves, nor should they be in any position to handle sexual abuse claims or have any dealing with abuse survivors."

Before adopting the plan, the bishops will seek input from individuals, institutions and members of the Legislature. Archdiocese officials anticipate that the program details will be ready by Friday.