Action Alert: Important Milwaukee Archdiocese Bankruptcy Court Hearing

SNAP Wisconsin
January 24, 2013

http://03409bc.netsolhost.com/snapwisconsin/2013/01/24/action-alert-important-milwaukee-archdiocese-bankruptcy-court-hearing/

Action Alert: Important Milwaukee Archdiocese Bankruptcy Court Hearing Thursday January 24, 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Milwaukee Federal Courthouse, 517 E. Wisconsin Avenue

In Federal Bankruptcy Court on Thursday January 24, Judge Susan V. Kelley will rule on four cases that could determine if the remaining 570 victim/survivors who have filed cases will be allowed to proceed. Last month, lawyers for the archdiocese sought to dismiss these cases. Kelley heard arguments but declined to issue a ruling and is likely to do so tomorrow. The archdiocese, by objecting to these four claims, is seeking, in principle, to dismiss nearly every one of the cases filed. (For details, see the press advisory from last month when the ruling was first expected.)

The archdiocese has also just filed another 157 case objections, this time based on the argument that they have no responsibility for religious order offenders, even though most of these individuals were officially assigned to the archdiocese to work in parishes and schools and could only work here with the direct consent and supervision of the archbishop. It’s not sure if Kelley will start hearing arguments on this issue tomorrow. There has not been sufficient time for victims’ attorneys and the Creditors Committee to submit their written response to the court. An eventual ruling for victim/survivors on this crucial issue, however, would be a major step in bringing accountability, transparency and public safety concerning scores of religious order child molesters who have harmed children while working for the archdiocese. (NB: Some of these claims objections also include lay employees and volunteers from the archdiocese who committed sex crimes against children.)

It can be difficult to attend these hearings. One has to patiently listen to lawyers from the archdiocese repeatedly attempt to disqualify, discredit and dismiss victims and their cases. But, it makes a significant difference if Judge Kelley sees victim/survivors, their families, and their supporters in attendance. (There will be a sign language interpreter.) It helps that judges and lawyers see the faces of the people who are going to be directly affected by their actions, arguments and decisions.

And hopefully the court is paying attention to the press last week concerning how the archdiocese had been directly withholding criminal evidence from the police in a current child abuse investigation and blaming the rules of the bankruptcy court to justify it.

Stay updated as to the latest news and information on the bankruptcy at SNAPwisconsin.com website and blog. If you have any questions please contact me at 414.429.7259 or Mike Sneesby at 414.915.4374 (or via email at peterisely@yahoo.com or mikesnees@aol.com).

See you Thursday,

Peter Isely/SNAP Midwest Director