By Free Republic | Created at 2024-10-01 14:03:15 | Updated at 2024-10-08 00:22:20
6 days ago
After dozens of sexual abuse cases, Vermont's Catholic Diocese files for bankruptcy
NBC Channel 5, Vermont ^ | Oct 1, 2024 | Molly Ormsbee
Posted on 10/01/2024 6:46:42 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, Vermont has filed for bankruptcy in federal court. It follows decades of sexual abuse allegations and settlements, according to current Bishop John McDermott, who was just installed in July.
In 2019, an independent committee formed by former Bishop Christopher Coyne published a public report about the abuse allegations.
To date, the Diocese says 40 priests had credible claims against them, for sexual abuse of a minor. Most of the incidents occurred between 1950 and 1980, according to court documents.
According to paperwork filed Monday, the Diocese settled nearly 30 cases in 2006 and 11 cases in 2013.
In 2019, the Vermont legislature removed the limitations period on claims of childhood sexual abuse, allowing cases to be filed at any time after the alleged act. Since then, the Diocese says an additional 20 cases have been settled.
In total, McDermott reported more than $20 million paid out between 2006 and 2019, with more than 30 cases still active today.
According to McDermott, the Diocese is concerned it does not have the assets to fairly compensate each survivor.
"Due to the number of civil cases and claims filed against the Diocese and limitations of the Diocese’s resources, the Diocese determined that reorganization under chapter 11 is the only way to fairly and equitably fulfill the Diocese’s obligations to all survivors of sexual abuse," McDermott said.
"The Diocese is not filing this bankruptcy case in an attempt to avoid any responsibility regarding sexual misconduct by clergy or any mistakes made by the Diocese’s administration. Rather, the Diocese has been, and continues to be, committed to addressing the wrongs perpetrated and fairly compensating survivors," McDermott said.
The Diocese will continue to operate its 63 parishes, as leaders attempt to reorganize their finances.
(Excerpt) Read more at mynbc5.com ...
TOPICS: Catholic
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To: ConservativeMind
“...Diocese says 40 priests had credible claims against them, for sexual abuse of a minor.”
Are there really even 40 priests in Vermont?
2 posted on 10/01/2024 6:49:07 AM PDT by fwdude
To: ConservativeMind
As everyone knows, until very recently only males were allowed to be acolytes in the Catholic Church.
So, this means that the vast majority of these priests are homosexual predators of children.
3 posted on 10/01/2024 6:51:07 AM PDT by fwdude
To: ConservativeMind
Probably the biggest story of the past century. The Collapse of the Catholic church due to massive sexual predation by priests. It was so pervasive that it is incomprehensible.
4 posted on 10/01/2024 6:52:20 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
To: fwdude
Ask and ye shall receive...
The Catholic Community of Vermont
Per the above...
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington serves 110,000 Catholics. There are 36 active priests, 44 permanent deacons and 15 religious ministering in 68 parishes. The diocese includes 12 Catholic schools and a catechetical system with an estimated 2,500 students. Through Vermont Catholic Charities’ social services and homes for the aged, the Diocese of Burlington assisted more than 3,000 Vermonters last year. A complete statistical overview of the Diocese can be found in the Kenedy Directory....
That's just for Burlington apparently.
5 posted on 10/01/2024 6:53:52 AM PDT by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
To: ConservativeMind
Gay infiltration. It’s a warning for the rest of society.
6 posted on 10/01/2024 6:55:36 AM PDT by ArcadeQuarters (You can't remove RINOs by voting for them!)
To: 1Old Pro
It’s related to that denomination allowing “non practicing” homosexuals to become priests, and before that fundamental confusion over Mary, and the saints.
7 posted on 10/01/2024 6:57:30 AM PDT by ViLaLuz (2 Chronicles 7:14)
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