ROCHESTER (NY)
WHEC - NBC News10 [Rochester NY]
July 3, 2025
By Berkeley Brean
[Includes a 4-minute video of the interview with survivor Carol Dupre, somewhat different from the printed report below.]
The long-running sex abuse bankruptcy case involving the Catholic Diocese of Rochester is nearing its conclusion. After six years and more than 475 victims, a settlement offer is currently being voted on by those affected.
Votes will be counted on July 29, with the deadline to submit votes set for July 15. I spoke with Carol Dupre, a church abuse survivor from Spencerport, who shared her thoughts on the process.
Brean: “You can see the finish line”
Dupre: “I do believe so, yeah. We’re hopeful.”
Brean: “And you feel what?”
Dupre: “I’m tired. I feel like I’ve been in a wrestling match for, it’s been more than six years. The case will be a full six years by September.”
Dupre has been fighting for eight years, but her battle began long before that. She was abused by a priest as a teenager and has worn black for the past four years, symbolizing the loss she feels from the abuse.
Brean: “What does it mean to be a survivor now?”
Dupre: “You know that’s funny because yesterday I had this thought that in order to be a survivor you have to be a victim first.”
Dupre expressed hope for validation once the case concludes.
“I think and I hope and I pray that when this thing is over that survivors will feel some sort of validation,” Dupre said.
Brean: “Is money validation?”
Dupre: “Some of us stopped thinking about money a long time ago. I never even thought of this in terms of money being given in this. I don’t think you can put a price on what people have been through. But money is the way our court system works.”
The proposed settlement includes $55 million from the diocese and parishes and $71 million from insurance companies, totaling $126 million. A final meeting with one last insurance company is scheduled in two weeks.
Dupre confirmed she has already voted in favor of the settlement.
“I voted yes. Let’s get on with this,” Dupre said.
The voting ends on July 15, and a day in court for victim impact statements is scheduled for July 23. Dupre plans to give a statement, and she said the bishop will be present.
A lawyer informed me that approximately two-thirds of the votes need to be in favor for the settlement to be accepted, and the bankruptcy judge must also agree.