ALBANY (NY)
WHEC - NBC News10 [Rochester NY]
September 10, 2025
By Vanessa Blasi
A dozen victim impact statements were shared Wednesday in the Albany federal courthouse regarding alleged sexual abuse at the hands of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.
“Today was the first time in this case, in this sterile bankruptcy process that survivors, who the case is about, will have a voice,” said Taylor Stippel Sloan, an attorney with Jeff Anderson and Associates.
Alleged sexual abuse victims shared incredibly emotional and vulnerable stories of sexual abuse for the first time in court on Wednesday. Attorney Cynthia LaFave and Sloan represent a total of 190 people who filed lawsuits against the Albany Diocese for alleged sexual abuse. Most of this came about in 2019 when the New York State Child Victim Act made it possible for people to file lawsuits years after abuse occurred, temporarily lifting the statute of limitations.
Since then, over 400 child abuse lawsuits have been filed against the Albany Diocese, many dating back to the mid-to-late 1900s. The Diocese settled over 50 of these cases but then declared bankruptcy in 2023 — putting a hold on the other cases. Many of the victims who spoke in court Wednesday were middle-aged or higher, but said they were abused back in their teenage years.
“We also represent people who died without knowing that there is any justice given to them for what they suffered. And that is something that we carry with us as well,” said Cynthia LaFave.
Those that are still here got to share their side for the first time Wednesday. The stories of abuse allegedly came from priests across the Capital Region all under the Albany Diocese. The victims who spoke in court shared that they carry this weight with them everyday.
“I am now 80 years old. I think about it every day and every night,” said a survivor in court Wednesday.
“I felt like I was drowning with God himself forcing me under water,” said a survivor in court Wednesday.
The survivors told different stories of rape, sexual assault and more horrific acts. Some of them were altar boys, catholic school students and more. Some described how at one point, they loved going to mass and that it was their happy place. Many of the victims shared similar thoughts of feeling ashamed, embarrassed, powerless and heartbroken by the institution.
“No one ever told me I was allowed to say no,” said a survivor in court Wednesday.
Some of the survivors told the courtroom that despite their struggle, they have never lost faith in God. Others shared that they no longer believe in Catholicism.
“I wish that I hadn’t converted to Catholicism,” said a survivor in court Wednesday.
“I won’t go into a church,” said a survivor in court Wednesday.
Overarchingly, people shared that, “religious organizations are supposed to be a source of support, not exploitation.” Some of the people displayed anger that the Diocese declared bankruptcy, and shared the various reasons why they are requesting a financial settlement.
“I’m incredibly angry that an institution that is supposed to be protecting me, chose instead to protect itself,” said a survivor in court Wednesday.
Bishop Scharfenberger was also present in court alongside other members of the Albany Diocese. He said it was too early to comment to media at this time, as there are still two more days of victim impact statements left. The rest of the victim impact statements will be read in court on Thursday and Friday at the Albany federal courthouse. There are about 50 people estimated to share victim impact statements over the course of three days.
Judge Robert Littlefield said that these victim impact statements will not be used as evidence in the bankruptcy case. LaFave shared that after the impact statements are completed, they will go back into mediations. The first sexual abuse case is expected to go to trial on Oct. 20.