Baltimore Archdiocese files for US bankruptcy to address sex abuse lawsuits

Archdiocese of Baltimore Files for Bankruptcy to Address Sex Abuse Lawsuits

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has filed for U.S. bankruptcy protection in an effort to seek a settlement for sex abuse claims made by individuals who allege they were abused as children by Catholic priests.

Background

The bankruptcy filing was prompted by a Maryland state law that is set to take effect on October 1. This law allows survivors of sexual abuse to file new lawsuits regardless of when the abuse occurred.

Maryland’s attorney general has stated that there are over six hundred known survivors of clergy abuse in the state, although the Archdiocese has not been able to verify these numbers.

Statement from Archbishop William Lori

Archbishop William Lori has stated that the bankruptcy filing will enable the Archdiocese to compensate victims fairly while also allowing the Church to continue its operations and preserve its limited resources. He acknowledges that no apology, compensation, or knowledge of present-day accountability measures can fully heal the victims or undo the harm they have suffered.

Response from Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

David Lorenz, the Maryland leader of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, has criticized the Archdiocese for filing for bankruptcy even before the first case is filed under Maryland’s new law. He believes that the Archdiocese has circumvented the will of the Maryland legislature.

About the Archdiocese of Baltimore

The Archdiocese of Baltimore is the oldest Catholic diocese in the United States, serving over 485,000 individuals in several Maryland counties. The Archdiocese has assets between $100 million and $500 million and liabilities between $500 million and $1 billion, according to the Chapter 11 petition filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Baltimore.

Impact on Other Catholic Dioceses

Several other Catholic dioceses have also filed for bankruptcy due to sex abuse lawsuits. Similar laws to Maryland’s Child Victims Act in New York and California have led to a wave of Catholic bankruptcies in those states. Many dioceses that have filed for Chapter 11 remain in bankruptcy without finalized settlements.

Previous Settlements

Previous Catholic bankruptcies have resulted in large settlements for abuse claims. For example, the Santa Fe Archdiocese reached a $121.5 million settlement in 2022. However, it should be noted that the outcomes of these settlements do not necessarily lead to complete healing for the victims.

Reporting by Dietrich Knauth; Editing by Daniel Wallis

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article discusses sex abuse claims, which can be connected to the goal of achieving gender equality.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The article highlights the bankruptcy filing by the Archdiocese of Baltimore to address sex abuse lawsuits, which relates to the need for strong institutions and justice.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres – The article addresses sex abuse claims, which can be seen as a form of violence against women and girls.
• SDG 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels – The bankruptcy filing by the Archdiocese of Baltimore is an attempt to address the sex abuse lawsuits and establish a transparent process for compensating victims.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of sex abuse claims filed – This indicator can measure progress towards addressing violence against women and girls (SDG 5.2).
• Transparency of the bankruptcy process – This indicator can measure progress towards developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions (SDG 16.6).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: reuters.com

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