Syracuse Diocese Sets Bankruptcy Deadline For Survivors

In June 2020, the Syracuse Diocese filed for bankruptcy protection. The bankruptcy came several days after 38 people filed priest abuse lawsuits against the diocese.

Recently, the presiding judge set a bar date for survivors to file claims with the court. To receive compensation from the diocese, survivors must file a claim with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court by April 15, 2021.

Sexual Abuse In The Syracuse Diocese

The Syracuse Diocese is one of many Catholic dioceses facing sexual abuse allegations across the country. In 2019, New York lawmakers passed the Child Victims Act (CVA). This law extended the statute of limitations for civil claims of child sexual abuse.

Additionally, the CVA opened a one-year “look back” window that revived all expired cases. Because of this provision, priest abuse survivors with expired cases can file lawsuits against their abusers and responsible institutions.

The majority of the legal claims against the Syracuse Diocese are filed under the CVA. The seven other Catholic dioceses of New York have also faced a greater number of lawsuits since the CVA took effect.

Syracuse Diocese Files For Bankruptcy

The Syracuse Diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June. It is currently one of four New York dioceses to file for bankruptcy. Nationally, it is one of 27 bankrupt Catholic dioceses.

According to Bishop Douglas Lucia, bankruptcy was necessary to handle the growing number of legal claims filed under the CVA. At the time of filing, the diocese faced more than 100 claims filed by victims of abusive priests.

Victim Advocates Oppose Bankruptcy Filing

Victim advocates claim bankruptcy proceedings protect dioceses from releasing records to the public. When a diocese goes bankrupt, all lawsuits against the diocese are suspended. To receive compensation, survivors are forced to file a claim through the federal court. Thus, survivors lose their chance to reveal Church cover-ups through litigation.

Bankruptcy Judge Sets Bar Date

In October 2020, Judge Margaret Cangilos-Ruiz, the federal judge presiding over the bankruptcy proceedings, established a filing bar date for survivors.

Clergy abuse survivors seeking compensation from the Syracuse Diocese must file a claim with the court by the bar date: April 15, 2021. A survivor must file a claim by this April deadline or risk forfeiting a potential payout.

Bar Date Limits Survivors

The CVA’s “look back” window was originally set to close in August 2020. New York lawmakers extended the window by another year following pandemic-related court closures. Survivors of child sexual abuse now have until August 14, 2021, to file a civil lawsuit in New York.

Unfortunately, the New York State extension for child sex abuse claims does not help survivors suing the Syracuse Diocese. Syracuse Diocese victims must comply with the April bar date instead. As a result, these victims lose roughly four months between the two deadlines. 

How To File A Claim With The Syracuse Diocese

To receive compensation, survivors must file a claim with the assigned claims agent, Stretto. Stretto’s website provides more information about the filing process. Survivors can also call 855-329-4244 for more information about filing a proof of claim.

Some survivors may find the filing process overwhelming. For this reason, many claimants turn to a lawyer for help. Our experienced legal team can guide you through the claims process.