Archdiocese of Milwaukee Reaches $21m Settlement with Abuse Survivors

By David Schuyler, Digital Producer
Milwaukee Business Journal
August 4, 2015

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2015/08/04/archdiocese-of-milwaukee-reaches-21m-settlement.html

Archbishop Jerome Listecki addressing the Milwaukee Press Club in 2014.

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has reached a settlement with the survivors of clergy sexual abuse under which 330 claimants will share $21 million, setting the stage to close the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filed in January 2011.

A proposed settlement agreement will be outlined in an amended plan of reorganization to be filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Aug. 24, and Judge Susan Kelley is expected to review the plan at a hearing on Nov. 9. Archbishop Jerome Listecki said if the plan is approved, it officially ends the bankruptcy case and allows the archdiocese to return its full attention to the spiritual, charitable and educational mission of the Church.

"Today, we turn the page on a terrible part of our history and we embark on a new road lined with hope, forgiveness and love," Listecki said.

The agreement was endorsed by both the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council and the College of Consultors, according to Listecki.

The settlement came after three days of mediation and negotiations between the archdiocese, the Creditors’ Committee and attorneys for abuse survivors in meetings in Milwaukee July 15-17.

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2011 in response to claims stemming from the priest sex-abuse scandal. In the original Chapter 11 filing, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee listed assets of $98.4 million, most of which were either restricted or belonged to other related organizations. The Archdiocese initially identified $4.6 million in assets that could be applied to a settlement.