The Buffalo Diocese is the most-named defendant in claims filed under the NYS Child Victims Act --- facing more than 250 legal actions for damages due to past sexual abuse by priests and others
Advocates for survivors of sexual abuse denounced the Buffalo Diocese earlier this week after the diocese, temporarily headed by Albany's Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger, who is formerly from the Brooklyn Diocese, moved forward with two legal filings that victims advocates say aggravates the victims' experiences, and also could allow the Buffalo Diocese to dodge consequences for decades of alleged abuse and cover-up
According to a recent report in the Albany Times Union, by Kayla Harris, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo is facing push back for seeking federal funding relief in sex abuse cases brought under the New York State Child Victims Act, which was passed and implemented last year (See "Buffalo Diocese facing backlash for seeking federal funds, relief in CVA cases) by Kayla Harris, 5/6/2020, Albany Times Union/ News [https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Buffalo-Diocese-facing-backlash-for-seeking-15251143.php]).
Kayla Harris' article went on to say that "..... The most recent filing on Tuesday was a lawsuit against the federal Small Business Administration for denying the diocese's application for relief under the CARES Act because of its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. It followed a separate legal action on Saturday in bankruptcy court, in which the diocese argued that all cases filed against the institution under the state's Child Victims Act, including those that also name local parishes and schools, should be permanently suspended...."
A spokesperson for the Buffalo Diocese said that, in reference to the proceeding in bankruptcy court, suspending all pending cases would allow the diocese to negotiate settlements "without the distraction of piecemeal litigation" and would also make the payouts more equitable for all survivors, not just those who filed first. "While the process continues, any lawsuits against the diocese are halted to allow the diocese and its creditors to come to agreement on settlement terms," he said. "The action that the diocese recently filed is intended to provide the same 'breathing spell' for parishes, schools and other Catholic entities in the hopes of achieving a global resolution."
A lawyer for several if the victims said the filing was an "unnecessary legal tactic (that) is insensitive to survivors of child sexual abuse who have already been deeply harmed by the abuse they suffered, as well as by the actions and in-actions of top diocesan officials."
This story should have been top news. No TV or MSM. Just a small article in Albany.
ReplyDeleteWell Scharfenbergers filing says it all. This "piecemeal litigation is a distraction". Distraction from what?
ReplyDeleteJohn Q is a Crisis Communications Professional and was buolt for moments like this. He will make sure this news doesn't go any further than the eastern shores of Lake Erie
ReplyDeleteThe Lord helps those who help themselves to the bailout
ReplyDeleteWho am I to Judge
ReplyDelete356, don't you think, don't you know right from wrong, haven;t you informed yourself about this blight on the Catholic Church and society?
ReplyDeleteThose Catholics who aren't on top of this priest-pedophile scandal, and this abuse of the bankruptcy laws are most likely guilty of the sin of sloth.
If you aren't Catholic, you should be outraged at all of this as a citizen and member of society.
Nicole will solve all of this next year.
ReplyDelete