HARRISBURG (PA)
The Tribune-Democrat
March 15, 2020
By John Finnerty
Harrisburg Bishop Ronald Gainer announces Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020, that the diocese has filed to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the face of looming lawsuits over priest abuse.
The diocese has already paid out almost $13 million to settle claims filed by victims of priest abuse through a compensation fund set up by the church.
Adult survivors of priest abuse across Pennsylvania expect that other dioceses will follow the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg and declare bankruptcy to force victims tons seek damages through bankruptcy court rather than civil court.
Mary McHale, a Reading women involved with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said “I think it’s only a matter of time” before other dioceses in Pennsylvania declare bankruptcy, a move announced by the Harrisburg diocese in mid-February.
“It’s not a shock,” she said. “It’s another play in their playbook.”
McHale was abused by a priest in Reading, who began grooming her after she disclosed to him that she was gay. She only came forward after another woman publicly accused the same priest of abuse.
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