Recently, the Survivor Committee argued to Judge Harner that the Church should either be told it has a legal responsibility to pay Survivor claims or be forced out of bankruptcy.

When the Archdiocese first filed for bankruptcy, the Archbishop said that a main purpose of its bankruptcy filing was to help the Archdiocese take responsibility for Survivor claims. But now, after two years, the Archdiocese is asking the bankruptcy court to rule that it has a complete legal defense to all Survivor claims. During a recent hearing, the Committee made it clear to Judge Harner that this change of positions by the Archdiocese should not be allowed.

The Archdiocese has said that, even if it can use the charitable immunity defense, it intends to pay something to Survivors voluntarily (even though it would not have the responsibility to do so). The Archdiocese recently filed a proposed settlement with the bankruptcy court that would provide an average payment of approximately $36,000 to each Survivor. The Committee told Judge Harner that it would not support a settlement that is so obviously unacceptable for 900+ Survivors, whose lives have been devastated because the Church failed to protect them when they were young. The Committee argued that the Archdiocese must be held legally responsible for Survivor claims and treated like any other debtor in bankruptcy.

Ultimately, the Committee argued that, if the Archdiocese can rid itself of all responsibility for paying Survivor claims through the defense of charitable immunity, it should not be allowed to stay in bankruptcy. Pushing the Archdiocese out of bankruptcy would allow Survivors to resume their cases individually in State court, where a full account of the abuse they endured could become public. Ending the bankruptcy would also allow many more Survivor claimants to come forward. 

The Survivor Committee will continue to fight for Survivor rights in the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy, and its goal has not changed:  to secure a financial settlement that is truly fair and that also ensures the safety of children in the future.

The Judge overseeing the Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy case has granted the Official Committee’s request for a third hearing for Survivors to present their impact statements before the Court.  While previously scheduled for October 6, it will now take place on November 5, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.    

This will be the third hearing where Survivors are able to make impact statements before the Judge and the Archbishop.  These sessions provide Survivors with a meaningful voice in the bankruptcy process and have been well-received by all participants.  Recently, the Committee made a request for a third Survivor impact statement hearing before the court.  The Archdiocese and certain insurance companies objected to the Committee’s request arguing that the statements would compromise the Court’s impartiality, delay the bankruptcy process, and improperly influence judicial decision-making.  They also argued that any impact statements should be deferred until the end of the case.  Judge Harner did not agree.

The impact statements will take place on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern in Courtroom 9-C at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland, 101 W Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21201. 12 Survivors who have filed claims in the bankruptcy case have stepped forward to participate.  At this time no other Survivor Impact Hearings have been scheduled but if there is the need for more the Official Committee will attempt to have them scheduled.  While the current hearing is “full”, any Survivors who wish to participate in the future should contact the Committee’s legal team at baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com.  If represented by counsel, please discuss this opportunity with your attorney beforehand. Additional details about future impact statement hearings will be posed to this website as they become available.

The Official Committee of Survivors of Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy would like to provide the following background and update to keep Survivors abreast of the case details that can be shared.

1. General Background:  The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore filed for bankruptcy in September 2023.  A Committee of seven survivors, appointed by the US Trustee, represents survivors’ interests with experienced legal and financial professionals ensuring fair treatment throughout the process.

2. Charitable Immunity: In April 2025, the Committee filed a separate lawsuit against the Archdiocese asking the Court to find that a Maryland legal rule called “charitable immunity” does not block all of the Church’s liability for Survivor claims. The Committee filed a motion in that case recently asking for a final decision. If the Court does not grant the Committee’s motion, the case could proceed to trial in December 2025. A hearing on the Committee’s motion is scheduled to be heard on October 6, 2025.

3. Motion to Dismiss:  The Committee has also asked the Court to dismiss the bankruptcy if the Court does not agree with the Committee’s position on charitable immunity. The Committee did not make this decision lightly. In a world where the Archdiocese is immune from Survivors’ claims, the Committee considered that the bankruptcy process causes unfair delay and harm to Survivors. The Committee still believes, however, that this bankruptcy process can reach resolution and a fair settlement for Survivors. A hearing on the Committee’s motion is scheduled to be heard also on October 6, 2025.

4. Claims Administration: The deadline to file claims was May 31, 2024. Approximately 900 – 1,000 claims were filed by that date. The Committee believes that there are approximately 922 valid, unique claims filed by survivor creditors in the case. The Archdiocese and insurers have not agreed to that (they argue that some of the claims we are including in our 922 number may not actually be viable claims against the Archdiocese). The claims cover many decades and include broad allegations of abuse that range greatly in intensity and impact and occurring in dozens of parishes throughout the Archdiocese.  It is still too early in the case to know who will be reviewing the claims. The review process typically takes place after the confirmation of a settlement/bankruptcy plan and the establishment of a Survivor Trust.  At that point, a Claims Reviewer will review survivor claims in the case. This review is based on various factors that are decided upon by the Survivor Committee and those factors are usually based on an equitable point system that considers the nature, circumstances, and impact of the abuse experienced.

5. Debtor’s Asset Value:  The Archdiocese is required to disclose all assets (land, cash, investments, etc.) as well as all of its debts, including survivor claims. They disclose assets by filing something called their bankruptcy schedules. A summary of the Archdiocese’s schedules is provided below.
   1. Schedule A/B requires debtor to provide information about debtor’s interest into property which includes its interest in real estate, cash or cash equivalents, investments, inventory, and other assets. The Archdiocese asserts that it holds approximately $15 million of real property. The Archdiocese reports $163.9 million in cash, cash equivalents, deposits, accounts receivable, and investments. Notes receivable account for $20.8 million of the Archdiocese’s assets. In total, Schedule A/B reports that the Archdiocese has $204.9 million in assets.
   2. In Schedule D a debtor must list all its secured creditors (like a bank that holds a mortgage) and information about the secured debt. The Archdiocese discloses one secured creditor with three claims for a total secured debt of $25,772,988.76.
   3. Schedule E/F requires debtor to list and detail all of its unsecured creditors and unsecured debt, which is debt that is not secured by a lien. The Archdiocese lists approximately $25 million in unsecured debt that includes employee time off and payroll, as well as goods and services. This amount does not include any CVA claim liability, as that is listed as unknown.
   4. Under Schedule G, a debtor must list all executory contracts, i.e., contracts that have not been completed, and unexpired leases. The Archdiocese listed 47 executory contracts, none of which included a cure amount.
   5. Schedule H requires the debtor to list “co-debtors.” A co-debtor is a person or entity that is liable for any debts that the debtor may have. The Archdiocese did not disclose any co-debtors.

This is not representative of maximum settlement amount, however, and not all of the Archdiocese’s assets will be paid over in settlement. Typically, the settlement will be funded through a combination of Archdiocesan assets, insurance settlements, and contributions from parishes and other catholic entities within the Archdiocese.

6. Mediation: Currently, we are in the mediation stage of the case, which tends to be the longest phase of the process. This stage involves multiparty negotiations between the Committee, the Archdiocese, the Archdiocese’s parishes, and multiple insurance carriers. Each party has different interests and legal positions that must be carefully balanced to reach a fair resolution. Negotiations are focused on the financial terms of a potential settlement and to strengthen the Archdiocese’s child protection policies to ensure that children are protected in the future. The first mediation session took place virtually on October 7, 2024. Since then, there have been multiple mediation sessions, both in-person and virtual.  This process follows strict rules of confidentiality so all parties are limited in the details they can share.

7. Plan of Reorganization:  If mediation is successful, the next phase involves drafting a comprehensive “plan of reorganization” for the bankruptcy court (the “plan” is basically a detailed memorialization of a settlement). These plans are extensive documents that address numerous complex issues regarding how the Archdiocese will operate post-bankruptcy and how creditors, like Survivors, will be paid. Survivors will have the opportunity to vote in favor of, or against any settlement plan. More information about any settlement would be provided to survivors in advance of their voting through a document called a “Disclosure Statement.”

8. Survivor Impact Statements: Last year, the Survivor Committee filed a motion asking the bankruptcy court to schedule a hearing for the presentation of Survivor Impact Statements. Survivor impact statements allow Survivors the opportunity to share their stories with the Archbishop and the Court. On April 8 and May 20, 2024, fourteen Survivors presented their impact statements before Judge Harner and in the presence of the Archbishop. The statements were powerful and extremely important to increase engagement and understanding. The Court recently granted the Committee’s request for a third Survivor statement hearing that will proceed on November 5, 2025. The Committee expects that the Court will allow additional presentations to be scheduled next year.  

9. CVA Developments and Amendment: On April 3, 2025, an amendment was passed to the Maryland Child Victim’s Act that reduced the amount Survivors can collect against the Archdiocese, from $1,500,000 to $700,000 for lawsuits filed after May 31, 2025. Soon after, the Committee successfully requested that the bankruptcy court allow Survivors to sue the Archdiocese, and all members of the Catholic enterprise (parishes, schools, etc.), to preserve the $1.5 million cap. These lawsuits will stay dormant while the bankruptcy case moves forward. This outcome was a victory for Survivors. If the Committee had not acted, Survivors could have lost at least $800,000 per survivor in recovery against the Archdiocese alone, and possibly even more against its parishes and schools.

10. Town Hall Meeting: On August 25, 2025, the Committee held a virtual Town Hall to address survivor questions about claims, the bankruptcy process, and non-confidential aspects of ongoing proceedings. Survivors submitted questions in advance, which the Committee addressed during the session. The event was successful in increasing engagement and understanding about the current status of the case. The Committee plans to continue holding these informational sessions as developments warrant, with notifications provided through the survivor website in advance. We currently anticipate holding another Town Hall meeting sometime in early 2026. 

11. Cyber Incident:  The Stinson team has received inquiries about a cyber incident that occurred earlier this year. We discovered that cyber criminals had attacked our firm’s internal network and illegally obtained data. These “threat actors” gathered a small subset of confidential information related to this bankruptcy. All impacted Survivors have been notified. A thorough investigation and review of the incident is ongoing, with quarterly updates to the court, and every effort is being made to prevent its recurrence. 

12. When will this process conclude?  While we cannot provide an exact timeline, we understand how important this question is to Survivors and their families. Archdiocese bankruptcy proceedings are inherently complex and typically span multiple years, though we remain committed to reaching resolution as efficiently as possible. The process involves several key steps that must be completed: finalizing a settlement, obtaining bankruptcy court confirmation, and establishing an independent claim review process.

We recognize how difficult the uncertainty must be for survivors, particularly when confidentiality requirements limit what we can share about ongoing mediation work. These privacy protections, while necessary for productive negotiations, mean we cannot provide the detailed updates that everyone deserves. Please be assured that the Official Committee continues to work diligently toward resolution, and we remain hopeful that this approach will lead to a fair outcome.

The Committee for Survivors in the Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy will continue to update this website with information it believes is most important to Survivors.  However, some Survivors are interested in a “deeper dive” and knowing when every new document is filed in the case.  While this can be overwhelming because bankruptcies often include thousands of documents, it is possible to review each. 

The “Docket” in a bankruptcy is the official record and all filings are kept there electronically.  In the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s bankruptcy, the docket is maintained by a company called “Epiq.” It can be found and searched at this site: Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore Bankruptcy Dockets Case: 23-16969 | Epiq You can also register there to receive email or text alerts daily or weekly with a list of any new items added to the docket. 

Please be aware that for most Survivors reading the legal documents may be a new and confusing experience. If you have questions about anything you find on the docket, we encourage you to contact your personal attorney or reach out to us at baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com. Again, the Official Committee will continue to update this website to summarize all important developments.

Judge Littlefield Rules Insurers Do Not Have Standing to Object to Survivor Claims

In a significant victory for Survivors, Judge Littlefield has issued a decision that has wide-ranging implications. Specifically, Judge Littlefield concluded that insurers who deny that they are financially responsible for survivor claims do not—without more—have standing (the ability to act in Court) to object to survivor claims. The decision is instructive with regard to when and whether insurance companies have the ability to act in bankruptcy cases.

In the Diocese of Albany case, two of the Diocese’s insurance carriers, London Market Insurers and the Hartford, objected to nearly 50 survivor claims. The Committee challenged the objections, arguing that the insurers did not have standing to object. Judge Littlefield agreed, writing:  “As the Court stated on the record, it is difficult to “understand how [the Insurers] create the thread that [the Insurers] have standing when [they] have nothing at stake, [they] have no skin in the game.” 

The Committee applauds this decision and is hopeful that it will recognized across the country in situations where insurance companies attempt to interfere in bankruptcy cases to the detriment of Survivors.

During our town hall meeting with Survivors, and throughout this bankruptcy, the Committee has heard a number of concerns about why this bankruptcy case is taking so long to reach a settlement. The Committee shares these concerns. One major obstacle has been the Archdiocese’s claim that it has legal immunity (what is called “charitable immunity” in Maryland). “Immunity” would mean that the Church is not required to pay Survivors any money, and so any settlement would be a gift or an amount paid by the Archdiocese on its own terms. This position is unacceptable to the Committee for many reasons.

To address the Archdiocese’s unacceptable position, the Committee filed a lawsuit asking the Bankruptcy Court to overrule the Archdiocese’s immunity defense. Recently, the Committee laid out its legal case in a motion for summary judgment. If the Committee succeeds, we are hopeful this case will move towards a prompt resolution, and Survivors will be able to negotiate with the Archdiocese in a less one-sided way.

If the Bankruptcy Court disagrees with the Committee’s position on immunity, then the Committee has asked that the Court dismiss the bankruptcy case. The Committee, comprised of seven Survivors, did not make this decision lightly. Instead, in a world where the Archdiocese is immune from Survivors’ claims, the Committee considered that the bankruptcy process likely causes more delay and harm to Survivors and cannot provide them with a fair outcome.

To be clear, the Committee has not given up hope that this bankruptcy process can be resolved and reach a fair settlement for Survivors. Instead, the Committee has requested that the bankruptcy be dismissed only if the Archdiocese is found to be immune from paying Survivors any monetary damages. In that limited case, the Committee believes bankruptcy is the wrong place to reach a resolution.

The Town Hall will proceed virtually on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM Eastern time.  The session will provide Survivors with an:

• Update on the bankruptcy process and progress to date.
• Overview of upcoming steps in the proceedings.
• Opportunity to submit questions and receive answers from Committee members and legal professionals.

How to Participate:  The Town Hall is open to all Survivors, their attorneys, and other support persons.  Please note that only the Committee and its legal professionals will be visible during the meeting.  Participants will join as attendees and will not appear on camera or be identified to other participants.

Access the Town Hall:

• Zoom Link:  https://stinsonllp.zoom.us/j/96535572022?pwd=5T5nG0wAoAj9M1W4YlgTIB1MK3RvMM.1
• You may also log into the meeting manually by using the following ID and Passcode:
  • Webinar ID: 965 3557 2022
  • Passcode: 739616
• The following toll-free numbers are also available if you wish to listen only:
  • 877 853 5257 US Toll Free
  • 888 475 4499 US Toll Free
  • Webinar ID: 965 3557 2022

Questions Welcome:  Survivors may submit questions both before and during the Town Hall. No questions will be identified with a specific sender. If you’d like to submit a question before the Town Hall, please email baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com.  The Committee and its legal professionals will do their best to respond to questions during the meeting and will post answers following the Town Hall to http://www.BaltimoreSurvivors.com  Please note that we will not be able to address questions related to individual Survivor claims.  Such inquiries should be directed to the Survivor’s counsel.

You may view a recording of the meeting here.

The Judge overseeing the Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy case has granted the Official Committee’s request for a third hearing for Survivors to present their impact statements before the Court.      

In 2024, the Court held two powerful and effective hearings where survivors were able to make impact statements before the Judge and the Archbishop.  These sessions provided survivors with a meaningful voice in the bankruptcy process and were well-received by all participants.  Recently, the Committee made a request for a third Survivor impact statement hearing before the court.  The Archdiocese and certain insurance companies objected to the Committee’s request arguing that the statements would compromise the Court’s impartiality, delay the bankruptcy process, and improperly influence judicial decision-making.  They also argued that any impact statements should be deferred until the end of the case. 

On August 11, 2025, Judge Harner issued a comprehensive decision rejecting the Archdiocese and insurers’ arguments.  In her opinion, Judge Harner emphasized that Survivors are “parties in interest” who have been prevented from pursuing their claims in regular courts.  She stated that providing Survivors opportunities to address the Court is warranted, necessary to the continued administration of the bankruptcy case and is supported by the bankruptcy law.  Judge Harner’s decision is an important victory and reinforces that all Survivors’ voices are meaningful and have a vital place in the process.

The impact statements will proceed on Monday, October 6, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern in Courtroom 9-C at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland, 101 W Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21201 .  Survivors who have filed claims in the bankruptcy case and wish to participate should contact the Committee’s legal team at baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com.  If represented by counsel, please discuss this opportunity with your attorney beforehand.  Please check back to this website for additional details about the conference as they become available.

A Survivor in New York was recently awarded $30 million by Supreme Court Justice Meagan K. Galligan.  Represented by Pfau Cochran Vertitis Amala, the Survivor was abused at a Boy Scout Camp by the defendant who was unlawfully posing as a doctor.   Details of this case can be read via this link.  Please be aware that details may be difficult to read and re-traumatizing for some Survivors.  From that article, Ben Watson an attorney representing the Survivor commented “This verdict is a major victory for Mr. Pringle and for survivors across New York.  It also sends a clear message to any individual or institution that believes they can get away with the sexual abuse of children: the law will hold you accountable.”

In what is a victory for all Survivors who find themselves part of a Diocese bankruptcy, a Survivor abused by a Diocese of Winona NY priest has been awarded $7.6 million by a jury.  This is an important development because the defendant in the lawsuit was US Fire Insurance, an insurer who chose not to settle with the Official Committee of Survivors in the Winona bankruptcy.  Now, that insurer is liable for this settlement and the costs associated with its defense.  Further information regarding the Winona decision can be found at Survivor Abused by Diocese of Winona Priest Sees Victory in the Courtroom, Awarded $7.6 Million – Jeff Anderson and Associates

Adversary Proceeding: In April 2025, the Committee filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese in an action that is proceeding parallel to the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy case. This parallel action (also known as an “adversary proceeding”) was filed by the Committee to specifically address the issue of charitable immunity. In Maryland, the doctrine of charitable immunity acts as a bar to recovery of any Archdiocese assets that were received by way of charitable donations. The Committee is seeking a finding from the court that charitable immunity will not preclude such available assets to Survivors in the bankruptcy case. Recently, a scheduling order was entered that dictates the timeline for this proceeding. If the parties proceed to trial, the scheduling order contemplates that trial will take place in December 2025. The timeline is subject to change and depends on how the case progresses.

The Official Committee of Survivors of Sexual Abuse is fully engaged in this bankruptcy and would like to share this case update:

1. Survivor Impact Statements: In 2024, fourteen Survivors presented their impact statements before Judge Harner and in the presence of the Archbishop. The statements were powerful and extremely effective in increasing engagement and understanding by the Archdiocese and Judge. The Committee recently made a request for a third Survivor statement hearing before the court. The Archdiocese responded to the Committee’s request asking that the hearing be held closer to the end of the case and that only certain Survivors with bankruptcy claims against the Archdiocese be permitted to be heard. The Committee objected to the Archdiocese’s request at a recent status conference.  The parties await the court’s decision. The Committee is hopeful that the court will schedule a third hearing to hear Survivor statements in the near future.  We will update this website when a decision is reached.

2. CVA Developments and Amendment: On April 3, 2025, the Maryland legislature passed an amendment to the Maryland Child Victim’s Act that changes the amount of maximum award available to Survivors. Specifically, the change reduced the amount Survivors can collect against a defendant, like the Archdiocese, from $1,500,000 to $700,000 for lawsuits filed after May 31, 2025. Soon after the amendment was passed, the Committee filed a motion requesting that the bankruptcy court clarify whether Survivors needed to sue the Archdiocese and its parishes to preserve the $1.5 million cap, if Survivors had already filed claims in the bankruptcy case. Judge Harner issued a decision that allowed Survivors to sue the Archdiocese, and all members of the Catholic enterprise (parishes, schools, etc.), in venues outside of the bankruptcy case. Many lawsuits were filed by May 31 and were initiated to preserve the $1.5 million cap.  These lawsuits will stay dormant while the bankruptcy case moves forward. This outcome was a victory for Survivors. If the Committee had not acted, Survivors could have lost at least $800,000,000 in recovery against the Archdiocese alone, and even more against its parishes and schools.

3. Survivor Website, Follow-Up Questions, Resources and Subscription: For additional information about the case, please refer to this website where you will find all the case updates, an overview of the bankruptcy process, as well as resources for Survivors. We hope that these resources will be helpful to you.  Also, on the top right of each webpage you’ll find a place to enter your email address and be informed when the website is updated.  Many Survivors have subscribed and report that it’s very helpful in staying updated and not having to check back repeatedly.  If you have any questions about the website or additional resources that you think would be helpful to other Survivors, please reach out to team member Doug Kennedy via doug.kennedy@stinson.com.

The Committee and its legal professionals with Stinson LLP understand that navigating this legal process can be challenging. The Committee remains fully committed in its dedication to fighting for Survivors and pursuing the best possible outcome. If you are a Survivor and are represented by an attorney, then they are best suited to discussing your individual case.  If you are not represented by an attorney, or simply have questions about the bankruptcy process, feel free to contact the Stinson team via Baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com with questions or concerns. 

The Committee appointed in the Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy case to advocate on behalf of survivors has noted the election of a new leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV. This has raised concerns among some regarding his commitment to the prevention and investigation of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. This article summarizes those concerns. The Committee wishes to acknowledge those concerns and share that it is fully committed to its work in this case to both achieve a financial settlement for survivors and the adoption of policies that will end sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.