BALTIMORE (MD)
The Tablet [Market Harborough, England]
May 28, 2026
By Brian Fraga
‘The proposed plan seeks to provide equitable compensation to survivors while sustaining the Church’s mission and ministries. It reflects a commitment to transparency and a realistic assessment of available resources.’
The Archdiocese of Baltimore proposed establishing a $168.9 million Survivor Compensation Trust as part of its plan for reorganisation in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
That amount would be funded by contributions from the archdiocese and its insurers, with additional funds being contributed by parishes, schools and other Catholic entities, the archdiocese’s Catholic Review reported.
“At its core, the proposed plan seeks to provide equitable compensation to survivors while sustaining the Church’s mission and ministries. It reflects a commitment to transparency and a realistic assessment of available resources,” the archdiocese said in a statement on 15 May.
In Vermont, where the Diocese of Burlington filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the autumn of 2024, a bankruptcy judge has expressed concern that the diocese lacks a concrete reorganisation plan.
On 19 May, Judge Heather Cooper held meetings with all parties to discuss the way forward, including how to preserve money for creditors, which include more than 100 individuals who allege sexual abuse by clergy, the Vermont Digger reported.
“My concern is that I don’t want [the money] all going to the professionals. I do think that the survivors probably would like to have something left over at the end of the day,” Cooper told the attorneys during an earlier hearing.
In New York, Diocese of Ogdensburg agreed on 19 May to pay $45 million to resolve 125 claims from individuals who say they were sexually abused by priests and other church leaders.
“My hope and prayer is that this process will bring peace and healing to all survivors and to all the faithful whose hearts were broken by the gravely sinful conduct of Church leaders. I pray that this settlement will bring healing to all,” said Bishop Terry LaValley of Ogdensburg said.
The diocese filed for bankruptcy on 17 July 2023 to resolve lawsuits that were filed shortly after New York state lawmakers passed the Child Victims Act, which opened a one-year “look back” window for sexual abuse survivors to file previously-expired civil claims barred by the statute of limitations.