BALTIMORE ()
WBAL-TV, NBC-11 [Baltimore MD]
July 23, 2025
By Breana Ross
[See video]
Survivors of sex abuse by Catholic priests are speaking out to make sure they can continue to share their stories in court.
It comes after the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s bankruptcy case continues to unfold.Advertisement
Survivors said the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s insurance companies filed an objection when the creditors committee asked to have more testimony from survivors in another bankruptcy hearing.
However, abuse survivors said it’s important for them to continue to testify to help people know the truth, and to help them heal.
Survivors testified during bankruptcy hearings in federal court last year, but the testimony was not included in the court record. It did give survivors a chance to tell the judge how the abuse impacted them.
Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests held a press conference outside the federal courthouse in Baltimore on Wednesday to share why they’re angry insurance companies want to stop more survivor testimony during the hearings.
“We know that they are going to try to avoid financial responsibility, the Catholic Church has always tried to do that,” said Frank Schindler, a survivor and advocate. “The insurance companies don’t want to pay the money, but trying to silence the survivors is not only avoiding financial responsibility. Refusing to let them tell their stories is avoiding moral responsibility.”
Survivors said they are also concerned about a ruling in Montgomery County Circuit Court where a judge granted a summary judgment in favor of the Archdiocese of Washington because of charitable immunity — a win for the Archdiocese.
Survivors are concerned that will set a precedent.