Diocese

Olmsted County Jury Awards $7.6 Million to Abuse Survivor, Paving the Way for Accountability Among Insurers in Diocese Cases

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — An Olmsted County jury has awarded $7.6 million to a man in a civil lawsuit against the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, stemming from allegations of sexual abuse that occurred more than 50 years ago. The plaintiff, now in his late 60s, claims he was abused by Rev. Joseph Cashman during his childhood from 1973 to 1976. At that time, Cashman served as principal at Lourdes High School in Rochester. This case is part of a broader wave of litigation this year against the diocese, which recently reached a $21.5 million settlement with 145 … Read more

Lubbock Priest Charged with Assault Faces Civil Suit from Alleged Victim, Diocese Named as Co-Defendant

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LUBBOCK, Texas — A priest from Slaton has been arrested and now faces a civil lawsuit filed by a woman who alleges he committed indecent assault and unlawful restraint. The lawsuit also names the Catholic Diocese of Lubbock as a defendant. The 73-year-old priest, Ammanuel Puthuparambil, was the focus of the lawsuit filed in Lubbock County. The woman is seeking damages for emotional distress, physical pain, medical expenses, and other claims associated with the alleged assault, which include battery and sexual assault. Court documents indicate that on May 30, Puthuparambil instructed the church employee to … Read more

Supreme Court Decision Shapes New Bankruptcy Strategy for Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre

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NEW YORK — In a landmark ruling that has reverberated through the legal community, the Supreme Court in 2024 clarified that the Bankruptcy Code does not permit the enforcement of a Chapter 11 plan to absolve non-debtors of claims without the explicit consent of claimants involved. This decision has significant implications for bankruptcy cases and the way claims are handled against third parties who are not directly filing for bankruptcy but are nonetheless implicated through their connection to the debtor. This ruling was a critical element in the resolution of a high-profile Chapter 11 bankruptcy … Read more

Supreme Court Decision Shapes Innovative Settlement Strategy in Rockville Diocese Bankruptcy Case

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NEW YORK — In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled in the 2024 Purdue case that the Bankruptcy Code does not permit the use of Chapter 11 to force claimants to absolve non-debtors of responsibility in a bankruptcy process without the claimants’ consent. This ruling was pivotal in shaping how debtors coordinate with creditors and third parties to resolve claims collectively. Despite such limitations, many are finding a way around these constraints to ensure quicker, more equitable settlements, highlighting a significant trend in bankruptcy practices. The case of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville … Read more