By CatholicVote | Created at 2024-12-13 21:01:21 | Updated at 2024-12-13 23:52:20
2 hours ago
CV NEWS FEED // As the Diocese of Buffalo, New York’s bankruptcy case involving claims of child sex abuse settles into a state of stagnation, Chief Judge Carl Bucki is considering appointing a third mediator to get proceedings moving again.
WGRZ, a Buffalo NBC affiliate, reported that the bankruptcy case has been in progress for almost five years. Conflicts between the Diocese, the victims, and insurance companies have made it difficult for resolution during that time.
Blame for the delays in settling the case was shifted between parties during a Dec. 11 hearing, leading retired State Supreme Court and Appellate Court Justice Patrick H. NeMoyer to recommend that Bucki appoint a third mediator to the case. NeMoyer has served as a second mediator in the case, and although he said there has been “good faith” negotiating among the parties, he said that they need a deadline for settling the case.
“He said the diocese should submit a negotiated ‘plan’ or draft of a settlement negotiated with survivors in six months,” WGRZ reported.
The Diocese’s attorney, Stephen Donato, said during the hearing that the Diocese can offer $100 million in restitution, which Chief Judge Carl Bucki was “troubled” by, given the Diocese’s lack of funds and recent church closures.
However, Donato asserted that the church closures occurred due to shrinking congregations, not due to the Diocese’s 2020 bankruptcy filing. He added that the parishes in the Diocese will be expected to help pay a “significant” amount of the restitution money, according to WGRZ.
“There seems to be a willingness by all sides to get back to the work of mediation and hopefully that will be fruitful for everybody,” said Steve Boyd, the victims’ attorney.
According to WGRZ, Bucki will decide whether to add another mediator within the next few weeks.
