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	Archdiocese Wants Sept. 15 Deadline for Claims by Abuse Victims By Annysa Johnson Milwaukee Journal Sentinel May 6, 2011 http://www.jsonline.com/features/religion/121396419.html Lawyers for victims of clergy sex abuse on Friday called the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's plans to set a five-month window for filing claims "shameful," and said its proposed campaign to notify victims is inadequate. "It doesn't afford survivors enough time to process the decision to come forward," said Jim Stang, a Los Angeles attorney who is representing the creditors committee in the archdiocese's bankruptcy. Attorney Jeff Anderson, who represents several victims in civil cases against the archdiocese called it "shameful." "It demonstrates a lack of concern for the survivors and their well-being," he said. The archdiocese on Friday filed a motion asking the court to set a Sept. 15 deadline for sex abuse claims and approve a public awareness campaign to notify victims of the deadline. The deadline, known as the "bar date" - the time after which claims are barred - is significant in bankruptcies because it affects the size of the claimant pool eligible for whatever settlement is negotiated. Catholic Church bankruptcies in some cases have included extended bar dates for future claimants, and Anderson said victims are likely to seek a similar provision in Milwaukee. Archbishop Jerome Listecki announced the church's proposals in an e-mail letter to the faithful on Friday, before the motion was filed. Listecki said the archdiocese campaign would be published in English, Spanish and Hmong languages; and in church and secular media, including those that serve the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Stang and Anderson said victims would seek a far more extensive campaign and demand the archdiocese do more to locate victims, including combing its files and depositions, and involving parishes, schools and alumni. The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in January after it failed to reach a settlement with victims. They allege, many in pending civil court cases, that the archdiocese defrauded them by moving abusive priests from post to post without telling families of their sexual histories.
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