Milwaukee Archdiocese asks court to set deadline for Chapter 11 claims

Today, I want to let you know that our attorneys have filed what is known in bankruptcy court as the “Bar Date Motion.” This is a routine request in the bankruptcy process that asks the court to set a “bar date” or “final call” for anyone with a monetary claim against the archdiocese. The motion requires these claims be filed with the bankruptcy court by a specific date. After that date, any additional claims would be “barred.”

We asked the court to set a claims bar date for victims/survivors of September 15, 2011, and a separate and earlier deadline for our general creditors (vendors, service providers, financial institutions) of August 1, 2011. We also asked the court to adopt very strict confidentiality measures to protect the identity of victims/survivors.

These “bar dates” keep the reorganization process moving forward, while allowing sufficient time for individuals to file claims. Our goals in this proceeding have been clear: first, to provide equitable compensation for the unresolved claims of victims/survivors and, second, to carry on the essential ministries and services of the archdiocese, allowing us to continue to meet the spiritual, pastoral and human needs of people in southeastern Wisconsin.

The archdiocese has encouraged victims/survivors to come forward to report their abuse dating back to the 1990s when Project Benjamin was initiated.  In 2002, we saw a dramatic increase in reports of clergy sexual abuse after waves of publicity swept the nation.  Since then, the archdiocese has been especially aggressive in publicizing ways to make reports – to civil authorities, to independent agencies, or to the archdiocesan victim assistance coordinator.  This information has been shared through parishes and schools, in print materials, in advertisements in newspapers throughout all 10 counties of the archdiocese, via local media coverage and on our website.  Based upon our past efforts and the efforts of other advocacy groups and support agencies, we believe the claim process we propose is fair and complete.

full article at Archdiocese of Milwaukee

HT V