As the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore approaches nearly two years since its bankruptcy filing, survivors of clergy abuse are expressing mounting frustration over the stalled process and lack of compensation. Survivors were propelled into a state of hopeful anticipation, having leveraged a Maryland law that demanded the church's financial reckoning. Yet, according to a letter penned by an aggrieved party to U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Harner, and reported by WYPR, this hope has been eroded by what is described as "a circus" where clarity and trust hang in the balance amid near total secrecy.
At the core of the delays, survivors are sidelined as they witness law firms and financial organizations reportedly taking home nearly $11 million, and the survivors themselves remain bereft of updates on their restitution. Last Monday, Judge Harner suggested firms look into organizing a town hall to give survivors necessary updates, as detailed in WYPR reports. This follows the complications introduced by the church's insurers, Chubb Corporation's subsidiaries, which aimed to silence survivors by arguing that "victim statements are a creature of criminal procedure."
Despite these assertions by the insurers, Judge Harner has stood by the survivors, recognizing the importance of their narratives in both their recovery and the court's understanding of the case. A previous decision permitted these survivors to vocalize their trauma in court. "They'll throw anything at the court to try to stop it," Theresa Lancaster, a survivor and attorney, was quoted as saying in an article from WYPR. Lancaster emphasized that the fight extends beyond monetary compensation to acknowledging the "actual lives" impacted, including those who have suffered irreparable damage or succumbed to the weight of their past abuse.
Meanwhile, advocates for clergy abuse survivors continue to rally for another chance to be heard in court. As reported by WBAL-TV, David Lorenz of the Maryland Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests stated, "When we were children, we were abused and silenced. Justice is being able to say, out loud, your story, what you were told you were not allowed to say." The push for a third opportunity to speak out in court faces opposition from the church's insurance company, which perceives such statements as improper and possibly prejudicial. Yet, the church itself has indicated a willingness to participate in additional proceedings, with stipulations in place for applicants.
