The Official Committee of Creditors, which is comprised of seven abuse survivors and advocates on behalf of all Survivors with claims in the Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy, is pleased to report that Judge Harner issued several significant rulings on August 5 that the Committee believes create the strongest opportunity to date for meaningful progress toward a fair resolution.

Although these rulings do not resolve the bankruptcy, they require the Archdiocese to provide greater transparency and improve its proposed bankruptcy plan before it can be presented to creditors for a vote.

Judge Harner’s Rulings

The Court denied the Archdiocese’s request to send its proposed bankruptcy plan to creditors for a vote. This is an important development because the Committee has consistently maintained that the Archdiocese’s proposed plan would have allowed it to shield assets that should instead be available to compensate Survivors.

The Court also ruled that the Archdiocese cannot exclude approximately $74 million in insurance trust funds from the bankruptcy estate. Judge Harner determined that these funds are property of the Archdiocese and must be treated that way in its bankruptcy.

The Court rejected the Archdiocese’s proposal to create an additional class of creditors whose votes could have diluted the significance of Survivors’ votes on any proposed bankruptcy plan.

Finally, Judge Harner concluded that the Archdiocese’s disclosure materials were insufficient. Among other things, the Court found that the Archdiocese failed to adequately explain the nature and value of its assets, the effect of its insurance settlements, and its position regarding critically important youth protection measures intended to safeguard children in the future.

Taken together, these rulings are consistent with many of the positions advanced by the Committee. They also reinforce the protections that the Bankruptcy Code provides to creditors—including Survivors—before they are asked to vote on a plan of reorganization.

Survivors should also know that Judge Harner ruled that the Committee’s proposed plan likewise could not be sent to creditors for a vote. Although the Committee believed its plan was ready to proceed, the Court’s rulings require the Archdiocese to address significant deficiencies in its own proposal. The Committee believes those rulings increase the pressure on the Archdiocese to negotiate a fair resolution and create the best opportunity so far to reach an acceptable plan for Survivors.

What Happens Next?

The Archdiocese must now focus more than ever on negotiating a fair bankruptcy plan with the Committee. Following Judge Harner’s rulings, it is clear that any agreement must provide fair compensation to Survivors based on the full value of the assets properly available in the bankruptcy estate. If the Archdiocese is willing to do this, the Committee is hopeful that negotiations will lead quickly to a new plan proposal that the Committee can support directly. 

In addition, on September 30, the Court is expected to consider whether litigation against the parishes may proceed and whether a limited number of lawsuits against the Archdiocese itself may also move forward. Those proceedings may also give parties another reason to continue negotiating a fair and thorough resolution.

The Committee recognizes that the bankruptcy process has been lengthy and, for many Survivors, emotionally difficult and re-traumatizing. While these recent rulings may look like they could extend the timeline of the case, the Committee is hopeful that they may do just the opposite, because the Court has now made clear that it will require transparency and compliance with the Bankruptcy Code before any plan can move forward. The Committee believes Judge Harner’s rulings significantly improve the prospects for fair compensation and meaningful institutional accountability.

The Committee remains committed to advocating for all Survivors and to working diligently toward a resolution that fairly compensates Survivors, promotes meaningful institutional accountability, and includes measures that help protect children in the future.

If you have general questions about the bankruptcy process or comments for the Official Committee, please email baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com. All communications are treated confidentially, and someone will respond.

If you are represented by an attorney, you should direct questions regarding your individual claim to your attorney.

The Committee will continue to update this website as significant developments occur.

The Official Committee of Survivors in the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s bankruptcy remains actively involved in all aspects of this case and provides the following update.

I. Plans of Reorganization

Both the Survivor Committee and the Archdiocese have filed proposed Plans of Reorganization with the Court. A plan of reorganization serves as the roadmap for how the bankruptcy case will ultimately be resolved. It determines what assets will be available to satisfy claims, how those assets will be valued and administered, and how funds will eventually be distributed to survivors and other creditors. Put simply, the plan determines not only how the pie will be divided, but also how large the pie will be.

Each proposed plan is accompanied by a Disclosure Statement. A Disclosure Statement summarizes the key terms of the plan and provides creditors with information about the proposed treatment of claims, available assets, and the process for making distributions. The Court must approve a Disclosure Statement before creditors can vote to accept or reject a plan.

On June 8, 2026, the Court held its first hearing on the competing Disclosure Statements. During that hearing, Judge Harner directed the parties to continue meeting regularly to negotiate and address outstanding issues. The Court also scheduled weekly status conferences to monitor progress. If the necessary issues can be resolved, one or both plans could be finalized and sent to survivors and other creditors for voting as early as August.

If and when that occurs, all survivors who filed claims in this bankruptcy case will receive information and voting materials at the mailing address they provided on their proof of claim.

As part of this process, the parties continue to provide additional information, respond to questions from the Court, and address objections raised to the proposed Disclosure Statements.

In short, the case continues to move forward, but important issues remain unresolved. The Committee understands that survivors want this process to come to an end. It remains committed to maximizing recoveries for survivors while also pursuing meaningful youth protection measures designed to help keep children safe in the future.

II. Relief from the Bankruptcy Stay

On June 1 and 2, 2026, the Court held hearings on two related matters: (1) motions filed by seven survivors seeking permission to continue pursuing their lawsuits outside of bankruptcy, and (2) the Survivor Committee’s request to lift the bankruptcy stay as it applies to parish-related litigation.

The hearings included testimony from the Archdiocese’s insurance attorney, as well as extensive legal arguments from the parties.

Several days later, Judge Harner ruled that she would not grant that relief at this time. As a result, the seven survivors who sought permission to move forward with their cases cannot do so for now, and the stay remains in place with respect to the parish-related issues raised by the Committee.

Importantly, however, the Court also indicated that if the bankruptcy case has not meaningfully progressed by the end of September, it may reconsider whether these lawsuits should be permitted to proceed. While this decision delays further litigation for now, it also increases the pressure on all parties to move toward a resolution in the coming months.

III. “Seek the City to Come” Litigation

The Survivor Committee previously filed litigation concerning the Archdiocese’s Seek the City to Come initiative. The Committee sought greater transparency regarding transactions involving parish property during the bankruptcy case.

The Court ruled that the Archdiocese may continue with the initiative, but it must provide advance notice to the Court before entering into new transactions involving parish property. Those notices must disclose the proposed transaction and its key terms.

As a result, survivors and other parties in interest will have greater visibility into proposed parish property transactions during the bankruptcy process. The Court has indicated that it intends to monitor this process closely. A status conference to review these disclosures and assess how the process is working is scheduled for July 6 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Survivors who are represented by counsel are encouraged to discuss these developments with their attorneys to better understand how they may affect their individual claims. General questions regarding the bankruptcy process, or comments for the Official Committee, will be treated confidentially and may be sent to baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com. All messages will receive a reply.

A jury in Alameda Superior Court (Oakland) found this week that one Survivor deserves to be paid $16 million for abuse he experienced in the Diocese of Oakland. The Survivor was abused by a priest who had previously been arrested for abuse, but was then moved to another post. The same priest had been accused of abuse in several other lawsuits. 

Rick Simons, lead trial attorney for the Survivor commented “This is a case about accountability, it’s about justice. It’s about the Survivor finding his voice and regaining his power. We stand with him on this momentous day.” Jeff Anderson, another attorney representing the Survivor commented “Today’s verdict reflects years of resilience and determination, driven by an unwavering pursuit of truth and justice. This moment belongs not only to the Survivor, but to every survivor who has stood up and spoken up.”  

The Diocese of Oakland is in bankruptcy, but this trial was able to proceed because the bankruptcy stay was lifted to allow a small number of Survivor lawsuits to proceed. Details regarding the case can be viewed via this link. Please be aware that details may be difficult to read and re-traumatizing for some Survivors.  

This result makes clear, once again, that Survivor claims are valid and serious and that the Church and its insurers face very significant financial responsibility for Survivor claims in all Catholic Church bankruptcies. The outcome also reflects the bravery and tenacity of the Survivor who agreed to stand up to the Church and its large insurers, and to face down the most difficult experiences of his life, in order to help other Survivors in the Diocese of Oakland and across the country. 

The Survivor Committee has taken a large step forward in the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy by filing something called a plan of reorganization. The Committee’s “plan” provides a legal roadmap to bring the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy to a much-needed conclusion.

Although many issues remain subject to negotiation, the Survivor Committee’s plan includes an agreement in principle for Hartford to pay $100 million.The Survivor Committee led negotiations on this landmark resolution. The Committee is hopeful that it may soon be in a position to announce settlements with other parties as well.

The Committee’s agreement with the Hartford is just one piece of a large and complex puzzle and it is also subject to ongoing negotiations of non-financial terms as well as typical conditions, such as the bankruptcy court’s approval of both the $100 million agreement and the court’s approval of a plan that resolves the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy overall. That said, the Committee’s $100 million resolution with the Hartford is a significant first step toward global resolution and provides measurable hope to 900+ Survivors who have waited far too long for recognition.

Many questions were posed during the recent March 3, 2026 Town Hall meeting hosted by the Official Committee of Survivors.  The following are those that the Committee and its legal counsel Stinson LLP wanted to make sure received a response.  To view the complete Town Hall and see other important questions answered please click this link.

Are there signs of closure this year?

Yes. But in fairness, there are also signs that it could take longer. The reality of church bankruptcy cases is that they are extremely complicated and that many parties other than Survivors can directly influence how long it takes to find a solution. We could have had a deal done very quickly, but it would have been a very unfair deal for Survivors from the Committee’s perspective. The Committee agrees that this is taking too long, but we have learned to focus on what we can control. Our hope is to deliver a fair resolution for Survivors as soon as we possibly can and we work every day to find the best ways to do that.

How often is mediation happening and how many sessions have there been?

The Survivor Committee has been mediating frequently with the Archdiocese and its insurers and those negotiations will continue. So far, dozens of sessions have occurred in the case. This is not unusual in bankruptcies filed by the Catholic Church.

What is the status of claim objections? Would we know if our claim has been objected to?

If you are represented by an attorney then they would have been contacted. If you have any questions you should reach out to your attorney. If you are not represented then correspondence would have been sent to the contact information contained in your claim.

Why do settlements between the Church and survivors in other places not resolve things for Survivors in Maryland?

While the Catholic Church has had bankruptcies in other States, each bankruptcy is separate and one does not have any legal impact on another.

How can we get documents filed in the bankruptcy and learn when the bankruptcy court schedules status conferences?

All documents and appearances in this case can be found at this link: Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore Bankruptcy Adversary Proceedings Case: 23-16969 | Epiq  You can also sign-up for “Docket Alerts” to be notified when there are additions.

Have Survivor claims already been reviewed for purposes of payment?

They have not. It is very unlikely that Survivor claims will be reviewed for this purpose until a final settlement is reached. Survivor claimants will receive details about the process once they have been developed and Survivors will have a chance to voice any concerns they may have with the Court. This is something that Survivors should work with their personal attorneys to address.

What if a survivor did not include all details in filing his/her claim and now wants to do that?

Survivor claimants may update their “Claim supplement” to add additional information to their claim and they may also amend their claim altogether. The Committee cannot provide guidance on specifics, but please discuss this with your attorney if you are represented, or e-mail baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com if you need a link to relevant forms or examples.

Has the Archdiocese resolved its claims against its insurance companies? In other words is the amount of available Church insurance money no longer disputed?

At this point, there are not yet settlements with insurance carriers, so the amount of insurance money available to pay Survivor claims remains subject to negotiation. The Survivor Committee will continue to pursue fair insurance settlements.

Who ultimately makes the Archdiocese pay claims?

The Archdiocese chose to file for bankruptcy and, because it did, it is now required to pay the claims of Survivors fairly and equitably. The bankruptcy Judge oversees the process and makes sure the requirements of federal bankruptcy law are satisfied. The Survivor Committee is also monitoring the case closely at every turn to make sure things are being done fairly from the point of view of Survivors.

Does the Survivor Committee represent everyone?

The Survivor Committee advocates for the interests of Survivor claimants as a group, but most Survivors also have a lawyer to advocate for them personally. The Committee does not advocate for individual Survivors. The Committee’s main focus is to achieve a settlement with the Archdiocese and its insurers that it believes is fair and equitable. If the Committee is able to do that, Survivors will then have a chance to decide for themselves if they approve of the settlement. 

Will the Committee or the bankruptcy court make the Archdiocese release confidential, abusive priest files as part of the bankruptcy?

This issue is a very important one, but the outcome is uncertain. Any proposal about this will become part of a settlement plan that Survivors will have a chance to analyze and voice their opinion on.

The following link will allow you to view the March 3 Town Hall hosted by the Official Committee of Survivors.  Thank you to all who attended online.  Many questions were asked and we will be posting them, with answers, soon.  Please note that the link below will also require the passcode listed to view the video.  As well, you may toggle the captions on and off at the bottom of the screen.

Official Survivors’ Committee, Archdiocese Of Baltimore Bankruptcy – Town Hall – Zoom

The Town Hall will proceed virtually on Tuesday March 3, 2026 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: https://stinsonllp.zoom.us/j/94784533309?pwd=4MPaH80xqzdaOYbEeE0McdVPBC35bZ.1

Passcode: 781879

Phone one-tap:
+16469313860,,94784533309# US
+13017158592,,94784533309# US (Washington DC)

Join via audio:
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 305 224 1968 US
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 669 444 9171 US
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 689 278 1000 US
+1 719 359 4580 US
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+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 360 209 5623 US
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+1 564 217 2000 US
+1 888 475 4499 (Toll Free)
+1 877 853 5257 (Toll Free)

Webinar ID: 947 8453 3309
International numbers available: https://stinsonllp.zoom.us/u/aezu8iuU73

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.

The Committee of Survivors is deeply engaged in all facets of the bankruptcy and working as hard and as quickly as possible to achieve the best possible financial settlement for all Survivors, and to strengthen youth protection measures in the Archdiocese to keep children safe going forward.

Charitable Immunity / Adversary Proceeding

In April 2025, the Committee filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese to address the issue of charitable immunity. In Maryland, charitable immunity can sometimes provide a defense to charitable organizations who are sued for tort claims (like slip-and-falls or sexual assault claims). Using this doctrine, the Archdiocese argued that charitable immunity provided it with a defense to all sexual assault claims in its bankruptcy. However, in December, just before trial, the Archdiocese and the Committee entered into a settlement agreement. As part of that settlement, the Archdiocese agreed that it could not use the charitable immunity defense for sexual assault claims in its bankruptcy. This was a big victory for survivors. We hope it will speed up our efforts to achieve a fair settlement for all survivors.

Mediation

As part of the settlement agreement on charitable immunity, the Archdiocese also agreed to at least four mediation (negotiation) sessions with the Committee, which will happen over the next two and a half months. Mediation is usually the longest phase of the bankruptcy process. It requires many parties, including the Committee, the Archdiocese, the Archdiocese’s parishes, and the Archdiocese’s insurers, to coordinate and negotiate the terms of a potential settlement for the bankruptcy case. The sessions are focused on the financial terms of a settlement and strengthening the Archdiocese’s child protection measures to ensure that children are safer in the Archdiocese in the future. The rules of mediation require strict confidentiality. While the Committee may not be able to share details of individual sessions, it will continue to update the baltimoresurvivors.com website with publicly-available information.

Claim Objections

Near the end of 2025, the Archdiocese filed objections to some survivors’ claims. In response, the Committee of survivors asked the Court for a standard set of procedures for dealing with the Archdiocese’s objections and the issues they raise. Among other things, the Committee requested that the Court provide survivors with more time to respond to the Archdiocese’s objections.

The Court granted the Committee’s request for procedures and to extend the response deadline. The Court’s order establishing these procedures can be found here. The new deadline for responding to the Archdiocese’s objections is January 31, 2026. If the Archdiocese objected to your claim, you should have received mail, likely from Epiq, telling you about the objection. If you are represented by an attorney you should discuss this with them. If not, and you would like instructions how to respond, just reach out to the Committee’s legal advisors Stinson LLP via baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com and they will send them to you.

Survivor Impact Statements

The Court has now held multiple Survivor Impact Statement sessions. These sessions provide survivors with an opportunity to tell the Court and the Archbishop about their difficult experiences and the impact that those experiences have had on their lives. The Committee anticipates requesting more of these sessions because there is continued interest in them. Let us know if you would like to participate in a future session.

Town Hall

The Committee for survivors hosted a Town Hall meeting a few months ago to inform survivor claimants about the current state of the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy case and to answer questions. The Committee intends to host another Town Hall at the end of February (more details to follow soon). The next Town Hall will have a similar format to the last one. Please keep an eye on https://www.baltimoresurvivors.com/  for more details or contact us for help if you wish to participate.

Timeline / What Comes Next

We understand how challenging these cases can be, especially given how long they last. While the attorneys work on the case behind the scenes, it can be hard for survivors to know that things are still happening and that the case is still moving forward. We want to reassure you that your personal lawyers, the Official Committee of Survivors, and the Committee’s legal team are all working to get the best deal they can and to move the case along as quickly as possible. We deeply appreciate your strength and patience. You are never far from our minds.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the legal team for the survivor Committee if you have any questions about the bankruptcy process. You can reach them at baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore previously claimed that it had no legal obligation to pay survivor claims due to something called “charitable immunity.” The Committee of Survivors filed a lawsuit to prove otherwise. A trial on the Committee’s lawsuit was scheduled to start on December 15, 2025. On December 12, 2025, the Archdiocese agreed, in writing, that it would not use “charitable immunity” to avoid legal responsibility pay Survivor claims in bankruptcy. 

Committee Chair Paul Jan Zdunek commented “We believe the elimination of Charitable Immunity as a defense available to the RCAB in this case removes a significant obstacle to achieving finality for all Survivors in the case and we hope it will also create momentum and a renewed focus on settlement.”   

This is an important victory for Survivors.  Now, the Official Committee will continue its work in and out of mediation to create a fair and equitable financial settlement for all Survivors, that will also include the youth protection policies necessary to ensure the safety of children in the future.  Survivors who are represented by attorneys should direct questions related to their cases to their attorney.  If you have questions about the bankruptcy process in general, you may email Stinson LLP via baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com.  Every message will receive a response.

Survivors involved with the Archdiocese of New York and Archdiocese of New Orleans have seen important developments recently.  

In New York, the Archdiocese has announced it enter a formal negotiation process with attorneys for Survivors and commit at least $300 million to compensate the 1,300 victims of sexual abuse with claims pending against the church. Additional information may be found here.  

In New Orleans, Survivors and the Archdiocese reached a settlement of $230 million, approved by the bankruptcy court, to address the claims of approximately 600 Survivors who have been a part of this bankruptcy since it was filed in May of 2020. Further information about the New Orleans case can be found here. 

Both of these developments point to the recognition that significant financial settlements are appropriate to address the harm that Survivors have endured during their lifetime.  While every bankruptcy proceeding is unique, these are positive developments for Survivors.  If you have legal representation and questions related to your case, you should direct them to your attorney.  If you have questions about the bankruptcy process in general, you may email Stinson LLP via baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com.  Every message will receive a response.

Recently, the Archdiocese filed objections to some (but not all) Survivors’ claims filed in this bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy Court approved a uniform procedure for all of these objections. The following FAQs provide a summary of these procedures, but please consult the Cout’s order, Microsoft Word – RCAB Order on Claims Objection Responsesv4.docx, or your attorney for complete details:

What is the deadline?

You MUST respond to the claim objection before January 31, 2026.

What if I miss the deadline?

Your claim may be disallowed. This means you are no longer a creditor in the bankruptcy. You will not be able to participate in any monetary settlement, and this might prevent you from recovering any money in any future lawsuit.

What do Survivors need to do now?

On or before December 12, 2025, the Archdiocese will contact you or your lawyer to confirm whether your claim is one that has been objected to.

If your claim has been objected to you MUST do the following before January 31, 2026:

• File a short notice with the Court.
• The notice must say:
  • If you oppose the Debtor’s position;
  • If you agree with the Debtor’s position; or
  • If you need additional time to consider the Debtor’s position.

How do I file?

Your attorney needs to file your response. If you don’t have an attorney you can visit this link for a guide on how to file on your own: https://www.mdb.uscourts.gov/dont-have-a-lawyer

Do I have to prove my claim in court?

Not right now, but eventually you might.  If you get notice that the Archdiocese objected to your claim, you will eventually need to provide evidence and respond specifically to the Archdiocese’s objection. The Court will tell you when you need to provide additional evidence, but it does not need to be included in the response you file on or before January 31, 2026.

Can I get information from the Archdiocese about my abuser?

If you need more information, or want the Archdiocese to produce evidence that supports its objection, you can contact the attorneys for the Archdiocese: Blake Roth (Holland & Knight LLP) by email at blake.roth@hklaw.com or by telephone at 615-244-6380. 

Mr. Roth is required to respond to your request within 3 business days.

What Happens After January 31, 2026?

After reviewing all the responses filed by Survivors, the Court will enter a scheduling order regarding unresolved claim objections. You should continue to monitor your mail, email, and the Court’s docket to see if you need to take action to defend your claim.

The Survivor Committee is aware that objections to some Survivors’ proofs of claim have been filed by the Archdiocese. The Committee’s legal counsel, Stinson LLP, is diligently monitoring this development and communicating with the Committee and State Court Counsel as it assesses all objections and the impact the Archdiocese’s decision will have on an overall resolution of the bankruptcy case. The Committee has also asked the Court to extend deadlines relating to all claim objections and a hearing on that issue will take place on December 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Please note that most Survivor claims have NOT been objected to. 

What is a claim objection? A claim objection allows the Archdiocese to challenge the validity of a claim for various reasons, including that it is a duplicate, does not provide enough information to support a payment, or has some other legal reason to be disallowed. If your claim has been objected to, it is very important that you or your lawyer files a timely response. 

If you have legal representation and have any concerns you should discuss them with your attorney. If you do not have an attorney, you will receive a copy in the mail of any objection to your claim and you need to read it very carefully. This website will be updated as developments warrant.

On November 5, 2025, 10 Survivors presented their impact statements at a hearing before the Bankruptcy Court. Archbishop William Lori and other Archdiocesan representatives were also present to hear the statements. The Committee is grateful to the brave Survivors who shared the truth about their abuse and its effect on their lives. At this time, no additional hearings for the presentation of impact statements have been scheduled or approved, but additional hearings may be allowed by the Court if additional Survivors express an interest in presenting a statement.

On Thursday, October 30, the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland issued several rulings concerning the Debtor’s bankruptcy case and the related proceeding brought by the Committee. As a result of the Court’s rulings, the adversary proceeding regarding the application of charitable immunity will continue to trial on December 15, 2025. During that trial, the Court will consider whether the Debtor may use “charitable immunity” as a defense to the claims of survivors.

If you have any questions regarding charitable immunity or the bankruptcy case generally, please discuss them with your attorney if you are represented.  Please also feel free to contact the Committee at baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com and continue checking this website for further updates. 

Although the Federal Government is currently in a shutdown, the bankruptcy is continuing in earnest.  Recently the Court “stayed” (paused) a motion that required US Trustee participation because that specific office is a part of the shutdown.  However, only that piece of business is impacted and the Official Committee is continuing its work to seek a positive outcome for all Survivors.

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.