Message from the Survivors’ Committee

Dear Survivors, those supporting Survivors, and others interested in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse bankruptcy case:

On behalf of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the “Survivors’ Committee”), welcome to the Syracuse Survivors’ webpage. We, the Survivors Committee, were appointed by the US Trustee’s Office to advocate on behalf of all Survivors of abuse within the Diocese of Syracuse. The Survivors Committee is made up of seven Survivors of abuse related to this Diocese, whom represent a diversity of ages and genders. As Survivors ourselves, we understand the pain and trauma that other Survivors may be experiencing during this bankruptcy case. We understand that each Survivors’ journey is unique, and we empathize with each one of you as we navigate and process the trauma we have all experienced. Whether you are just beginning that journey or have been on it for many years, we are with you. We have designed this website to help with the questions you may have about the bankruptcy case.

This website provides the following information regarding the bankruptcy case of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse:

Overview of the bankruptcy process
Diocesan Bankruptcy frequently asked questions (FAQ)
News feed detailing case events and the Survivors’ Committee’s activities
Mental health resources for Survivors

The website will be regularly updated over the course of the case. The Survivors’ Committee hopes Survivors find this information useful, and encourage any Survivors with questions to contact their personal attorneys or the Survivors’ Committee’s bankruptcy counsel, Stinson LLP. To contact Stinson LLP, you may email syracusesurvivorteam@stinson.com

Disclosure Statement Approved, Voting Deadline Set for February 28, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET, and Confirmation Hearing Starts on April 28, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ET

On December 23, 2024, the Court approved the disclosure statement in support of the fifth amended plan (“Disclosure Statement”) filed by the Committee and the Debtor. The Disclosure Statement describes how the fifth amended plan (“Fifth Amended Plan”) addresses survivors’ claims. It may be found attached as Exhibit 1 to the Court’s Order approving the Disclosure Statement here. Exhibit 6 attached to that Court Order is also an Executive Summary for Survivors that distills much of the information contained in the Fifth Amended Plan. Now that the Disclosure Statement has been approved, survivors will have the opportunity to vote on the Fifth Amended Plan.

Under the Disclosure Statement approval order, the Debtor is required to serve voting solicitation packages to survivors or their counsel (if represented) by December 30, 2024. The voting solicitation packages will include survivor ballots, instructions for how to cast a ballot, and the Fifth Amended Plan documents. The deadline for survivors to cast their ballot on the Fifth Amended Plan is February 28, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

If you have questions regarding the ballot, did not receive a return envelope with your ballot, did not receive an electronic copy of the disclosure statement and the plan, or need physical copies of the ballot or other enclosed materials, please contact the Diocese’s solicitation agent, Stretto, by email at teamsyracusediocese@stretto.com or by calling 855.347.3773 and requesting to speak to a member of the solicitation team.

The Court will consider whether to confirm (approve) the Fifth Amended Plan at a hearing beginning on April 28, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Disclosure Statement Hearing is set for November 7, 2024

On November 7, 2024, the Committee and the Debtor will seek Court approval of the new disclosure statement, ballot forms, and solicitation and voting procedures. Once those are approved by the Court, survivors entitled to vote will have an opportunity to vote on the fourth amended plan. This page will be updated when the deadlines for voting on the fourth amended plan is set by the Court.

Fourth Amended Plan and Supporting Disclosure Statement Filed on September 13, 2024

Following the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L. P., 603 U.S.—,144 S. Ct. 2071 (2024), the Committee and Debtor filed the fourth amended plan and supporting disclosure statement on September 13, 2024. The plan was amended consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision that non-consensual third-party releases in a plan are not permitted under the Bankruptcy Code. Because of this development, the fourth amended plan will be distributed to survivors for another vote, after the new disclosure statement, ballot forms, and solicitation and voting procedures are approved by the Court.