The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee yesterday filed its bankruptcy reorganization plan, formalizing a recent settlement deal that will divvy up $21 million among more than 300 victims of clergy sex abuse, the Associated Press reported yesterday. The archdiocese filed for chapter 11 protection in 2011 to address its sex abuse lawsuit liabilities. The bankruptcy plan is scheduled for review in November, and church officials are "hopeful this is approved by the judge," archdiocese spokesman Jerry Topczewski said. The creditors' committee, which comprises five abuse victims, is expected to endorse the deal, committee chairman Charles Linneman said. Victims' advocates have criticized several aspects of the agreement, and Peter Isely, Midwest director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said that he and others will work to address key issues, including getting more claims included in the settlement, before Bankruptcy Judge Susan Kelley reviews the case. Read more.
“Diocese and Religious Order Bankruptcies” will be a featured session at this year’s Winter Leadership Conference, happening December 3-5 at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information and to register, click here.
