February 5, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
On Oct. 1, 2020, the Diocese of Camden filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A press release subsequent to the filing cited COVID-19, payments already made through the Victims Compensation Program, and state legislative changes regarding the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims as the reasons the Diocese sought bankruptcy protection.
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Priest Sexual Abuse Case in PA Could Open the Door for Other Survivors
February 26, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
In Oct. 2020, Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court heard oral arguments virtually and live-streamed via YouTube, for the Rice v. Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, et. al, case. This important legal battle could have major implications for priest and clergy abuse survivors regarding potential lawsuits.
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Diocese of Charleston Faces Two Priest Abuse Lawsuits
February 24, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
In a matter of seven days, the Catholic Diocese of Charleston found itself having to defend itself against two allegations of priest sexual abuse. The allegations of abuse span from 1961 through the mid-1970s.
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Maryland Statute of Limitations for Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases
February 19, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
How long you have to file a clergy abuse lawsuit in Maryland is a common question. For some Maryland clergy abuse survivors, it may take years, even decades, to recall the abuse since traumatic events suffered as a child are often suppressed. Even survivors who haven’t repressed those memories often still need many years to process the pain and receive treatment or counseling before they are ready to share their stories.
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Augustinians Agree to Settlement of $1.4 Million for Sexual Abuse Claims
February 18, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A $1.4 million dollar settlement was reached with the Augustine Order involving sexual abuse allegations against deceased Rev. John J. Gallagher. The settlement compensates 11 survivors, 10 females and 1 male whom Gallagher abused between 1974 and 1978 during his time at St. Mary’s School in Lawrence, MA.
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Pennsylvania Revival Window Moves Closer to Reality
February 6, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania made headlines in August of 2018 with the release of the Diocese Victim Report, which came after a two-year grand jury investigation into sexual abuse and cover-ups in six of the eight Pennsylvania Dioceses. In its wake, Pennsylvania legislators took aim at updating laws involving sexual abuse and a survivor’s ability to pursue a civil action against an abuser and the institutions that covered it up.
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Dioceses of Camden Files for Bankruptcy
February 5, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
On Oct. 1, 2020, the Diocese of Camden filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A press release subsequent to the filing cited COVID-19, payments already made through the Victims Compensation Program, and state legislative changes regarding the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims as the reasons the Diocese sought bankruptcy protection.
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