Archdiocese

Bankruptcy Judge Seeks Timeline from Archdiocese of New Orleans to Advance Legal Proceedings

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NEW ORLEANS — A bankruptcy judge in Louisiana is pressing the Archdiocese of New Orleans and affiliated parties to outline a schedule for expert discovery amid the church’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. This request aims to establish a timetable that would facilitate the next steps in the legal process. The judge’s move highlights the complexities of the church’s financial restructuring, which comes in the wake of numerous claims related to misconduct. A prompt and clear timeline is seen as crucial for managing the variety of claims against the Archdiocese, allowing all involved parties to prepare adequately. … Read more

Dubuque Archdiocese Seeks Dismissal of Florida Lawsuit Against Priest, Citing Jurisdiction Issues

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SARASOTA, Fla. — Legal action continues to unfold as the Archdiocese of Dubuque seeks dismissal of a lawsuit in Charlotte County, asserting Florida lacks jurisdiction over the Iowa-based nonprofit organization. The motion follows an earlier plea by Father Leo Riley, a priest associated with multiple parishes, to dismiss a similar case alleging he abused minors in the 1980s. Father Riley, who previously served at the Resurrection Church in Dubuque and later at Saint Charles Borromeo in Port Charlotte during the early 2000s, is currently assigned to San Antonio Catholic Church in the same town. The … Read more

Los Angeles Archdiocese Reaches Historic $880 Million Settlement, Credited to General Counsel’s Compassionate and Transparent Negotiation Tactics

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Los Angeles, CA — In a landmark response to its history of sexual abuse scandals, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles recently agreed to a substantial $880 million settlement with 1,353 victims, marking another significant chapter in its ongoing crisis management. This follows a previous record settlement in 2007, where the church agreed to pay $660 million to 508 victims. These settlements represent the church’s attempts to address the damages caused by decades of abuse allegations. Central to these negotiations was Margaret G. Graf, the archdiocese’s general counsel, who drew praise from legal representatives on both … Read more

St. Louis Archdiocese Accused in Sweeping Lawsuit of Concealing Decades-Long Abuse of Minors

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St. Louis, MO — A newly filed lawsuit accuses the Archdiocese of St. Louis of concealing severe sexual abuse against minors, alleging decades-long mishandling and cover-up by church officials. The complaint, brought forward this week, claims that the archdiocese provided a protective veil for clergy members credibly accused of sexual offenses, fostering an environment where such abuses could persist unchecked. According to the lawsuit, many cases of abuse were systematically swept under the rug as church leaders shuttled accused priests between parishes, bypassing legal accountability and public scrutiny. Victims’ pleas and claims were largely ignored … Read more