BALTIMORE (MD)
WBAL-TV, NBC-11 [Baltimore MD]
December 15, 2025
By Tommie Clark
The Archdiocese of Baltimore has agreed not to assert charitable immunity in its bankruptcy case.
Survivors of sexual abuse and their legal representatives view the decision as a pivotal moment in their pursuit of accountability.
Teresa Lancaster, a survivor and attorney, feels cautiously optimistic following the archdiocese’s Friday filing of a stipulation.
“I was delighted, because we were prepared to go to court today,” Lancaster said.
The stipulation also prevents parishes or schools from filing for bankruptcy unless they waive the legal protection.
Jonathan Schochor, an attorney helping represent the 900 survivors of sexual abuse in the church, emphasized the importance of this development.
“It’s off the table, finally,” Schochor said.
The legal protection could have shielded the church from paying survivors, and going to trial over it would have extended the already two-year-old case.
“I think it’s within the realm of possibility if the Archdiocese negotiates in good faith and the insurance companies come forward, we can get this done in a year.”
The case now hinges on mediation, which has not been successful so far.
In October, the Archdiocese offered to give each survivor about $33,000, along with insurance dollars, an amount survivors found insulting and rejected. They are seeking closer to $1 million for each survivor.
In a statement on Monday, the church said:
“The Archdiocese has a longstanding commitment to supporting abuse survivors, beginning decades ago with unlimited counseling services, and continuing for nearly two decades with voluntary cash settlements to over 100 survivors, all provided because it was the right thing to do, not because the law required it. After the passage of the Child Victims Act, we entered the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process to ensure every court approved claimant receives compensation through a survivors’ trust funded by both insurance proceeds and Archdiocese assets, maintaining our dual obligation to help those harmed while continuing our mission to serve the community. Despite Maryland’s doctrine of charitable immunity, we entered the Chapter 11 process with the understanding that we would willingly contribute substantial assets from Archdiocese funds in order to compensate victim survivors. The resolution of the charitable immunity proceedings allows us to resume progress towards the goal of compensating victim survivors as quickly as possible. We remain committed to working alongside the Survivors Committee to reach a meaningful resolution.”
Lancaster remains determined in the fight for justice.
“We will fight to the bitter end. Nobody’s going anywhere. We won’t quit. And we’re going to get it. I have to be optimistic,” Lancaster said.
A status conference is set for Jan. 5.