On April 22, 2025, fifteen Survivors presented their impact statements at a hearing before the Bankruptcy Court. In addition, the written statements submitted by nine Survivors were read to the Court. Bishop Douglas J. Lucia and other Diocese representatives were also present to hear the impact statements. The Committee is grateful to the brave Survivors who shared the truth about their abuse and its effect on their lives. The Committee is also hopeful that the impact statements will increase understanding regarding the tremendous pain and challenges Survivors endured and continue to endure as a result of their difficult experiences.
Survivor Voting Results Announced
On March 21, 2025, the Diocese filed a report summarizing the voting results for the pending bankruptcy plan (the “Fifth Amended Plan”). In total, 324 survivors voted. Each survivor voted in favor of the Fifth Amended Plan.
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 over anticipated objections from the insurance companies who have not yet settled their liability to the Diocese for survivor claims. The Committee, and its professionals, are working hard to ensure the plan is confirmed and will continue to post status updates on this website as developments occur.
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.
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.