Statement of the Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne, Bishop of Burlington Regarding Nondisclosure Agreements
I wish to inform all survivors of abuse who entered into a Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) with the Diocese of Burlington as part of a legal settlement that the Diocese waives that agreement and they are now free to tell the story of what happened to them as they see fit. Please be advised that this only applies to NDAs that were signed with the Diocese and not any other Church entity such as a religious community or school.
Out of respect for those who asked for an NDA so as to maintain their own personal privacy in these matters, the Diocese will continue to maintain the agreement.
Since 2002, the Diocese of Burlington has not required any NDA with survivors as part of a legal settlement. It is my hope that this past action as well as the present one will allow the truth of what happened to survivors and their families to be heard. I pledge to you, as the bishop of Burlington, that I will do everything that I can to make sure this never happens again and to work for healing and reconciliation with those who were so badly abused by clergy.