US Catholic Church Files For Bankruptcy Amid 30 Lawsuits Alleging Child Sexual Abuse
Bishop John McDermott revealed in the filing that most abuse allegations occurred before 2000.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, Vermont, United States, is facing over 30 lawsuits alleging child sex abuse by clergy from decades ago.
This comes after settling 67 similar lawsuits since 2006, amounting to $34 million, according to a court filing.
In 2019, the state removed the statute of limitations on claims, leading to more cases against the diocese, Associated Press reports.
Bishop John McDermott revealed in the filing that most abuse allegations occurred before 2000.
A 2019 report confirmed “credible and substantiated” claims against 40 priests, with only one incident occurring after 2000. The diocese has since sold property and used funds to cover settlement costs.
“Due to the lack of insurance coverage and the Diocese’s depleted assets, the Diocese is concerned that too large of a settlement with a select group of pending cases or a judgment in favor of a single plaintiff could leave the Diocese with insufficient assets to fairly compensate other survivors and creditors,” McDermott said in the affidavit.
Attorney Celeste Laramie, representing about a third of the plaintiffs, accused the diocese of hiding assets, claiming, “For decades the Burlington Diocese covered up horrific sexual abuse of generations of Vermont’s children by sexual predators it employed as priests.”
John Evers, another attorney for the plaintiffs, expressed his anticipation of discovering more about the church’s assets.
Vermont’s case joins over 32 other dioceses across the U.S. that have sought bankruptcy protection.
