Category Archives: Case Updates

Survivor Impact Statements Authorized by Bankruptcy Court

At the request of the Committee, survivors have been authorized to present impact statements in person during a Bankruptcy Court session that will be conducted on April 22, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. The Bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse has been ordered to attend and the hearing will be open to the public.

All survivors are invited to attend. Survivors interested in presenting an impact statement are encouraged to contact counsel for the Committee, Stinson LLP, by emailing syracusesurvivorteam@stinson.com no later than April 9, 2025. Because of time constraints there are a limited number of speaking slots.

Please note that presenting survivors will be speaking about their difficult history which could be traumatic to both them, and those listening. Please be mindful of the support that you may need both during and within the hours and days following the presentations. The Stinson Team will work with Survivors who will be speaking to assist in preparing them.  he Committee looks forward to making this event significant and effective.

For those who will be attending the survivor impact statement Bankruptcy Court session in person, the Bankruptcy Court is located at James M. Hanley U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building, 100 South Clinton Street, Syracuse, NY 13261.

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 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.