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	Church Abuse in Delaware: Diocese Bankruptcy Judge Waits to Appoint Mediator Sontchi Rips Attorneys for Not Notifying Him News Journal March 27, 2010 http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100327/NEWS01/3270344 WILMINGTON (DE) -- A judge was expected to sign an order Friday in the Diocese of Wilmington bankruptcy approving a global mediator to help resolve the case outside the courtroom, but it did not happen. Instead, a proposed order to appoint Thomas Rutter, a retired judge from Philadelphia who has mediated in earlier, individual church abuse cases, was entered on the docket. According to attorneys, Bankruptcy Judge Christopher S. Sontchi is expected to sign off on Rutter as the mediator early next month at a previously scheduled hearing in the case involving the diocese, the official unsecured creditors committee and abuse victims who are suing the diocese. All sides believe the appointment of a mediator is likely to speed a settlement and help the diocese resolve its bankruptcy. Sontchi blasted attorneys for agreeing to a mediation process behind his back after he read about the move in a story Friday in The News Journal. "You may not remember me, but I am the judge in the case," Sontchi told attorneys representing the diocese and the alleged abuse victims during a telephone status conference. "I would appreciate an update as to exactly what is going on in this case, in particular imposing on the court without its participation, or even its approval, a mediation process," he said.
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