Abp. Listecki: Plan of Reorganization - "we will emerge with at least $7 million of debt"

Credit: Tina Leann

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,

Today, we will file our Plan of Reorganization, the next major step toward ending the bankruptcy and returning our focus to the primary mission of the Church; proclaiming the Gospel, worshipping more fully, and serving our sisters and brothers in need.

It’s been over three years since our Chapter 11 petition was filed, but we are turning a corner. A Plan of Reorganization is what allows the archdiocese to emerge from bankruptcy once it is confirmed by the court. This Plan demonstrates both our commitment to abuse survivors and our commitment to serving the people of God in southeastern Wisconsin. It’s time for us to get back to what the Church is supposed to be doing. It’s time for the archdiocese to return its focus to its ministry. Outreach to and the support of abuse survivors will always be part of that ministry.

Nothing I can say or do can change the past. The abuse suffered by survivors sickens me. When I arrived in Milwaukee four years ago, I found a faithful community of Catholics who were angry and ashamed that trusted priests abused innocent children, and embarrassed about how some Church leaders responded.

But I also found a Catholic community committed to making sure nothing like this could ever happen again. For years now, and continuing with my unyielding commitment, rigid protections have been put in place, which we strictly follow. Education, training and safe environment initiatives have been implemented. Stringent policies and procedures have been rigorously observed and audited annually for compliance. Documents and information about abusive priests have been publicly shared. I promise to remain vigilant to all of these commitments.

Abuse survivors have consistently told me this is not about the money and I believe them. No amount of money could ever be enough to restore what was taken from them. People were robbed of a part of their lives and I understand that nothing we do today can change that; nonetheless, I want to do the best I can to help abuse survivors.

continue at Arch Mil

The main point towards the end "we will emerge with at least $7 million of debt."

JS: Milwaukee Archdiocese reorganization provides $4 million for victim

SNAP: "bankruptcy plan is breath-takingly selfish"

Yes, SNAP wants to be taken seriously but this is part of their response:

If Listecki were a father of a high school senior, he'd borrow money, get a second job and move heaven and earth to send that kid to college. (We all know that 'where there's a will, there's a way,' especially in the world's largest, richest, oldest and only global monarchy.)[ROFLOL!!!!]

I am NOT making that up.   These golddiggers(there is no other way to explain the above statement. Someone, somewhere, got some money.) are going after Mother Theresa's orphanages or perhaps your parish church.  You want to post a comment and "go there?"  Be my guest.  Proof again that SNAP as an organization has little to do with victims and IT'S A SHAME BECAUSE WE NEED A LEGITIMATE GROUP TO SPEAK FOR VICTIMS.  And they want us to take them seriously even when the archdiocese comes out with a 7 million dollar bill. 

Update:

Dear Friends,

As a follow up to Archbishop Listecki’s Love One Another email on Wednesday about the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s Chapter 11 proceeding and the filing of the Plan of Reorganization, materials in a Question and Answer format have been prepared to provide more information about the various components of the Plan. The first is a link to a list of Questions and Answers on our website and the second is a video Q&A with Archbishop Listecki.

If there are other questions you may have, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely yours,

Jerry Topczewski
Office of the Archbishop