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Clergy Abuse Survivor, Parishioners React to Rochester Diocese Bankruptcy Filing

By Tanner Jubenville
WHAM
September 12, 2019

https://13wham.com/news/local/clergy-abuse-survivor-parishioners-react-to-catholic-diocese-bankruptcy-filing

Word that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy spread fast among parishioners and clergy abuse survivors Thursday.

Brian DeLafranier, who filed a lawsuit last month against the diocese under the Child Victims Act, says he was caught off-guard by the decision. But he says it's another "win" for clergy abuse survivors.

"Enough people have come forward to tell the diocese it’s a day of reckoning," said DeLafranier. "Their (the diocese) time has come, now it’s time to face the music."

DeLafranier claims he was sexually abused by a priest in the late 1970s. He's one of several suing the diocese under the Child Victims Act.

He says he and other survivors want their day in court to face their alleged abuser - an avenue he and other survivors won't likely get now the diocese has filed for bankruptcy.

"I don’t want it to alleviate the Diocese of Rochester from any of the fault they have this. Just because they’re going bankrupt, doesn’t mean they are," said DeLafranier.

DeLafranier says the bankruptcy filing could actually benefit victims of clergy abuse.

He says the church still has money for victims looking to file lawsuits against the diocese, and he says victims will be able to go through court proceedings anonymously. He says this may actually result in more victims of clergy abuse coming forward.

"Do not hide in the shadows, don’t drink behind it, don’t drug about it," said DeLafranier. "People do want to hear."

The news of the bankruptcy hit parishioners just ahead of midday mass.

Anthony and Patricia Rosati heard the news minutes before walking into St. Mary's Church in Downtown Rochester.

"That doesn’t mean we ought to give up on the diocese," said Anthony, who says just the "bad" priests should be removed. "Just get the priests out, not the whole diocese."

Both he and his wife were planning to rely on their faith, hoping the diocese will recover from potential financial hardship.

"The Catholic Church has been through many, many bad things in the past, and I have faith that God will get us through the rest of this," said Patricia. "We’ll just keep everybody in our prayers, and well get through it."

 

 

 

 

 




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