Baltimore’s Archdiocese avoids litigation
Last Friday, Baltimore’s Archdiocese took an aggressive step to protect its secrets, money, and assets. It filed for Chapter 11 in federal bankruptcy court to avoid litigation by potentially thousands of claims related to its failure to protect children from predator priests. The Archdiocese hopes this move will limit its liability while maintaining its financial stability.
It is important to note that the legal maneuver was made less than 72 hours before Maryland’s Child Victims Act was to become active. This new law will remove the time limit that once prevented childhood sexual abuse survivors from pursuing litigation. The Archdiocese fought against the law. They and their lawyers also opposed the full release of the Maryland Attorney General’s report on abuse in the Archdiocese.
The history of abuse in Baltimore is a sad and troubling one that dates back to the 1930s. A comprehensive investigation by the Maryland Attorney General’s Office uncovered the scandalous actions of 156 clergy members and church affiliates who preyed on at least 600 innocent victims. Despite lifting the veil of secrecy, Baltimore’s Archdiocese continued to fight against transparency, using legal and lobbying tactics to prevent full disclosure of the investigation’s findings and thwart the Child Victims Act.
Strategy behind bankruptcy
The Baltimore Archdiocese’s financial reorganization has shifted from the state courtroom to the federal bankruptcy court. This legal maneuver raises concerns about the survivors’ quest for truth, justice, and a full accounting. The strategy behind the bankruptcy is to severely limit the number of claims. Still, its legal filing by the Archdiocesan attorneys estimates there could be as many as 5,000 abuse survivors.
Filing bankruptcy is an attempt to mask the true extent of clerical abuse, causing continued distress for victims and their advocates. The church’s decision to file for bankruptcy is viewed as continuing a decades-long policy of protecting its assets and failing to protect the people abused as children.
Sadly, the story of Baltimore’s Archdiocese is not unique. Over 30 religious jurisdictions have filed bankruptcy related to past sins. As the Baltimore Archdiocese goes through financial reorganization, countless people continue to seek justice and closure against a beleaguered institution.
Maryland Child Victims Act
The move will only partially protect the Archdiocese. Under the Maryland Child Victims Act, parishes, schools, and other related institutions still face lawsuits because of what they did and failed to do. Boyd added, “This fight is far from over.“
