BALTIMORE (MD)
WIYY [Baltimore, MD]
June 1, 2026
By Digital Team
A key hearing Monday could affect payouts to survivors in the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s bankruptcy case.
At a hearing in federal court on Monday, attorneys argued whether certain lawsuits should proceed despite the bankruptcy filing.
“We just wanted to move forward, and the only way to move forward is to lift the stay and get the process started,” said Teresa Lancaster, an abuse survivor and attorney with the Abuse Survivors Coalition.
Attorneys debated what evidence should be allowed, including how similar cases have been handled elsewhere in the country and exact dates of alleged abuse.
“These people have been through horrible trauma,” Lancaster said. “They’re asking for the impossible, as usual.”
This comes as a judge considers motions to lift the bankruptcy pause on certain lawsuits, which would allow some civil litigation and insurance disputes to move forward.
Advocates for survivors believe it could help them receive settlements sooner. They are also challenging the church’s proposed $169 million compensation fund as survivors fight for a payout of more than $500 million.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore on Monday said the $169 million does not represent the full scope of funding, saying in a statement: “It does not include parish or other entity contributions, nor does it reflect the remaining insurance settlement contributions. The archdiocese submitted a plan on May 15 that outlines the structure for reorganization but does not yet include final dollar amounts for those additional contributions. The proposal is part of an ongoing process to reach a just resolution that provides equitable compensation to survivors while sustaining the church’s mission.”
As it pertains to Monday’s hearing, the archdiocese said in a statement: “By maintaining the automatic stay, the Chapter 11 process will proceed as intended. This includes the continued focus on mediation intended to move us closer to an agreed-upon resolution to this process.”
| COURT DOCUMENT: Read the new Chapter 11 reorganization plan
“For the archdiocese to file a reorganization plan that is obviously deeply flawed is simply another delaying tactic because they know that this is not going to be agreed to immediately, and it’s going to be debated,” said Frank Schindler, an abuse survivor and advocate with the Abuse Survivors Coalition.
The judge is expected to consider the arguments before making a decision that could shape the next phase of the archdiocese’s bankruptcy proceedings.
“I think the victims and survivors, everybody just needs to hang in there. It is a long process. It is grueling. It is so painful to continue every single day thinking about what’s happening next, but the judge seems pretty dead set on getting something done in September,” said Erin Maze, an abuse survivor.
The judge is expected to share on Tuesday when a decision could be made.
READ MORE: Hearing could affect payouts in archdiocesan bankruptcy case