BURLINGTON (VT)
WCAX [South Burlington VT]
May 14, 2025
By Cam Smith
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Survivors of clergy abuse by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington were given the chance Wednesday to share their stories in federal court as part of the church’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. There are more than 100 new sexual misconduct claims against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington.
Seven survivors spoke about the years of suffering they endured at the hands of the church. Cameras were not allowed in court, but reporter Cam Smith spoke with one of the victims.
“I really meant it when I said, where was the diocese during all of this?” said Michael Veitch, who says he was just 15 years old when he was sexually abused at his church in Weston.
Now in his 70s, Veitch says he suffered from PTSD and alcohol addiction. “It’s a bizarre reunion to be in that courtroom, and they’re all bonded by something that should have never happened to a child,” said Celeste Laramie, an attorney for abuse survivors.
The testimony comes almost one year after the Burlington Diocese filed for bankruptcy. Laramie says filing for bankruptcy protects the diocese from any future litigation and obligation to turn over evidence, grinding all pending and future cases against the church to a halt.
“They’ve been avoiding it for as long as possible, and they finally did it, and they took away that opportunity for everybody’s day in court when they did that,” Laramie said.
As part of the proceedings, the diocese — along with the creditors and abuse survivors — will work to come up with a financial settlement as well as other provisions to protect children in the future.
“There are others out there, and there will continue to be others out there until the systems hold these abusers accountable,” Laramie said.
Survivors like Veitch, who call Wednesday’s court hearing a step toward closure, 55 years after the fact. “I don’t pretend to understand why the church is doing this — I can’t fathom it. All I know is that we have a chance to go forward from today with something positive,” he said.
The diocese has already settled 67 abuse lawsuits in the last two decades, totaling nearly $40 million.
In a statement, Burlington Bishop John McDermott acknowledged it was a difficult day for those in court. “It is my sincere hope and fervent prayer that today’s hearing will be a source of continued healing for the survivors who shared their stories and for all who have filed a claim against the diocese,” he said.
Attorneys for the survivors say the bankruptcy proceedings and an eventual settlement could still take years, but they are relying on full transparency from the diocese to reach what they believe is fair compensation for those impacted by abuse.
Copyright 2025 WCAX. All rights reserved.