IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING SURVIVOR RIGHTS UNDER THE MARYLAND’S CHILD VICTIMS ACT

This is an important notice about events that will affect your right to recover on your claim filed in the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore’s bankruptcy case. Please read the entire message.

The Committee representing survivors in the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore’s bankruptcy case is asking the Bankruptcy Court to clarify how the recent amendment to the Maryland’s Child Victims Act, also known as the CVA, affects the claims of survivors of childhood sexual assault in the bankruptcy case. The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore is sometimes referred to as the Archdiocese of Baltimore or just the Archdiocese, and all of those terms are the same for purposes of this Notice.

This notice will: (i) describe how the changes to the CVA impact survivors, (ii) summarize what the Committee is doing to help provide certainty on how survivors should respond, (iii) provide notice of the hearing where the Bankruptcy Court will consider the Committee’s request and the deadline for you to object, and (iv) provide guidance on how you can act to gain clarity about your rights if you want to prepare a lawsuit in advance of the hearing.

CHANGES TO THE CVA

On April 3, 2025, the Maryland legislature passed an amendment to the CVA that changes the amount of maximum award available to survivors. Specifically, the change will reduce the amount you can collect against a defendant, like the Archdiocese, from $1,500,000 to $700,000. This change takes effect on June 1, 2025. That means survivors could lose as much as $800,000 if they do not act before May 31, 2025. To preserve the $1,500,000 maximum award, survivors must file a lawsuit against each defendant that might be responsible for their sexual abuse on before May 31, 2025. The Committee hopes to obtain guidance from the Bankruptcy Court to decide if, by filing a claim in the bankruptcy, you have already filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese and its Catholic affiliates or if you need to file some other lawsuit in another court.

THE COMMITTEE’S REQUEST TO THE BANKRUPTCY COURT

The Committee has asked the Bankruptcy Court to do three things. The motion can be found here.

First, the Committee has asked the Bankruptcy Court to clarify that, by filing a claim in the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy case on before May 31, 2025, survivors have filed an action and preserved their right to argue for damages up to the $1,500,000 maximum award against the Archdiocese. If this request is granted, this would mean survivors do not need to file a lawsuit in state court against the Archdiocese if they filed a proof of claim in the bankruptcy court.

Second, the Committee has also asked the Bankruptcy Court to clarify that, by filing a claim in the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy case on before May 31, 2025, survivors have filed an action and preserved their right to argue for damages up to the $1,500,000 maximum award, as to the parishes, schools, charities, and other entities that are part of the Catholic Church under the supervision of the Archdiocese. The complete list of those entities is included as Exhibits A & C to the Committee’s motion. If this request is granted, this would mean survivors do not need to file a lawsuit in state court against the entities included on Exhibits A and C to the committee’s motion.

Third, the Committee has asked that the Court clarify that the bankruptcy process does not prevent survivors from filing a lawsuit against certain Catholic entities that might not be under the supervision of the Archdiocese. The complete list of those entities is included as Exhibit B to the Committee’s motion. So survivors would be able to file lawsuits against those entities on before May 31, 2025. The Committee also asked the Court to clarify that, if a person or entity is not on any of these lists (Exhibits A, B, or C), the Court should confirm that survivors wont violate the bankruptcy process by filing a lawsuit against those defendants.

HEARING DATE AND OBJECTION DEADLINE

The Court will hold a hearing to address all of these issues on May 1, 2025.

If you want to respond to or object to the Committee’s motion, you have until April 30, 2025 at 12:00 p.m., ET, to file your responses with the Bankruptcy Court. You should respond or object if you don’t want the Bankruptcy Court to do what the Committee has asked or if you have a different idea for how the Bankruptcy Court should provide guidance to survivors. You can file in person at the Bankruptcy Clerk’s Office, by mail (the objection must arrive by April 30, 2025), or through the after-hours drop boxes located in the Baltimore and Greenbelt courthouses; for more information click here.

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO SUE A CATHOLIC ENTITY BEFORE THE HEARING

If you are a survivor and you want to file a lawsuit against a Catholic entity in Maryland other than the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore itself (such as a Catholic parish, school, or other church-affiliated organization) you cannot do so right now. Instead, you should:

Send the name(s) of the person or entity that you want to file a lawsuit against to Blake Roth, one of the lawyers for Archdiocese, by sending an email to blake.roth@hklaw.com.
Mr. Roth will respond to your email within 2 business days to let you know whether you can sue the entities you listed, or whether those entities are part of the bankruptcy process.
If Mr. Roth confirms that the entity is not part of the bankruptcy process, you may file a lawsuit against those entities right now.
If Mr. Roth confirms that the entity is part of the bankruptcy process, you must wait until the Court decides on the Committee’s motion before you can file a lawsuit against those entities.

Message from the Survivors’ Committee

Dear Survivors, those supporting Survivors, and others interested in the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore bankruptcy case:

On behalf of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the “Survivors’ Committee”), welcome to the Baltimore Survivors’ webpage. We, the Survivors Committee, were appointed by the U.S. Trustee’s Office to advocate on behalf of all Survivors of abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The Survivors’ Committee is made up of seven Survivors of abuse related to this Archdiocese, whom represent a diversity of ages and genders. As Survivors ourselves, we understand the pain and trauma that other Survivors may be experiencing during this bankruptcy case. We understand that each Survivors’ journey is unique, and we empathize with each one of you as we navigate and process the trauma we have all experienced. Whether you are just beginning that journey or have been on it for many years, we are with you. We have designed this website to help with the questions you may have about the bankruptcy case.

This website provides the following information regarding the bankruptcy case of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s bankruptcy case:

News feed detailing case events and the Survivors’ Committee’s activities
Overview of the bankruptcy process
Diocesan Bankruptcy frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Mental health resources for Survivors

The website will be regularly updated over the course of the case. The Survivors’ Committee hopes Survivors find this information useful, and encourage any Survivors with questions to contact their personal attorneys or the Survivors’ Committee’s bankruptcy counsel, Stinson LLP. To contact Stinson LLP, you may email baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com.

Third Survivor Impact Statement Hearing Under Consideration

Previously in this bankruptcy, Survivors have addressed the Court and Archbishop directly to make clear the impact of abuse suffered. These statements, given without questioning from any party, are crucial for conveying the devastating effects of abuse. The Official Committee is exploring the possibility of scheduling another hearing for additional Survivor statements. If you wish to participate, please inform your attorney. Those without legal representation can email baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.

Mediation Held in October and December 2024 and More Sessions Scheduled for 2025

Mediation is ongoing between the Committee, the Archdiocese, and the Archdiocese’s Insurers. The first mediation sessions were held in October and December 2024, and more mediation sessions are scheduled for early 2025. The Committee must keep information about its negotiations confidential. This is something that the Court requires.

Survivors of abuse sometimes find this requirement challenging because they do not have information about how things are progressing. If you have questions, or are experiencing frustration during the mediation, remember that the Committee is made up of seven Survivors, and that they are dedicated to representing all Survivors in the case as effectively as possible. In addition, the Bankruptcy Process resource tab at the top of this webpage may provide some answers to your questions, and you are also welcome to contact the attorneys for the Committee, or have your own attorney(s) contact us at baltimoresurvivorteam@stinson.com. We always welcome your questions and thoughts.