BALTIMORE (MD)
WBAL-TV, NBC-11 [Baltimore MD]
October 6, 2025
By Tommie Clark
he Archdiocese of Baltimore was back in court on Monday as a judge weighs whether to grant a dismissal of its bankruptcy case.
The hearing came after the church filed for charitable immunity, which would make it immune to having to use its own assets to pay survivors. Abuse survivors told 11 News they call the move one more delay tactic and the survivors requested a dismissal of the church’s bankruptcy case.
“Just when you think you may have been reaching the end of the Catholic Church’s road of hypocrisy, they manage to pave another 50 miles,” said Frank Schindler, an abuse survivor.
“They want the bankruptcy protection and the exemptions, too, and they’re not compatible. They can’t have it both ways,” said Teresa Lancaster, an abuse survivor.
The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy two years ago, and survivors said they feel it was done in bad faith to avoid the Child Victims Act taking effect. The judge on Monday said she’s concerned about how long the bankruptcy process is taking.
“We really need to be moving on. They did point out that survivors are getting up in age. Quite frankly, I always believed the church was waiting for us to drop dead,” Lancaster said.
At the same time, the church has proposed a reorganization plan to settle bankruptcy court claims. The institution wants to pay $33 million to survivors, who want to see at least $500 million. The money would come from the archdiocese, its parishes and schools, as well as all available insurance assets. Baltimore Archbishop William Lori hopes it’ll lead to a quicker resolution.
Survivors said they believe the proposal would give each person around $35,000.
“The offer of the $33 million is an insult. You’re talking about people’s lives here. You’re talking children that were raped — that never, ever leaves your mind,” Lancaster said.
The church said its contribution will be made regardless of whether charitable immunity remains a valid defense as the parties await the judge’s decision.