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5 Things to Know about the bar date in the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s bankruptcy case


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, Feature, Local News, News

Five Things to Know about the bar date in the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization:

When is the bar date?

May 31, 2024

In a court hearing Dec. 18, Judge Michelle M. Harner said she would make an order setting May 31 as the “bar date” in the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization case. The move sets the deadline by which anyone who has a claim against the archdiocese – including anyone who was abused before Sept. 29, 2023, by clergy, religious or employees in the archdiocese – must submit a claim to be included in the potential settlement.

What is the bar date?

It is the date set by bankruptcy court for sexual abuse victims to file claims.

On Sept. 29, 2023, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore (the “Debtor”) filed a petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The Debtor’s Chapter 11 Case is pending before Judge Michelle M. Harner. The docket can be accessed through the website maintained by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland (https://www.mdb.uscourts.gov). Information is available by clicking on “Archdiocese CH 11” in the menu.

The deadline for filing proofs of claim against the debtor in this case has been established by the Bankruptcy Court as May 31, 2024 (the “Claims Filing Deadline”). The Claims Filing Deadline applies to all persons, including survivors, and entities, other than Governmental Units. The last day for any Governmental Units to file timely proofs of claim is June 28, 2024 (the “Governmental Unit Claims Filing Deadline”).

How many have filed claims so far and how many are expected to file?

As of May 29, more than 450 had filed. It is difficult to determine how many will file and final numbers could take as many as four weeks to compile and verify .

Claims can be filed by 11:59 p.m. May 31 by visiting www.archbalt.org or https://dm.epiq11.com/RCABaltimore

A claims form can be found at https://www.archbalt.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/RCAB-Sexual-Abuse-Claims-Package.pdf

What does that total number mean and does it mean there were that many cases of abuse? 

The number of claims does not equate to the number of incidents of abuse. Some of the claims are from vendors, suppliers or other companies with which the archdiocese or its affiliates do business and may represent unpaid invoices for goods or services. Of the others, some are duplicates or claims that were later amended and superseded. Some others may involve alleged abuse that happened in a different diocese or the alleged abuser was a member of a religious order over whom the Archdiocese of Baltimore had no jurisdiction.

What happens next after the bar date?

Upon the passing of the bar date, claims will be evaluated and mediation will ensue between the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Unsecured Creditors Committee and various carriers that the archdiocese believes provided insurance coverage relating to or otherwise applicable for the survivor claims. Once a settlement amount is agreed upon, a claims administrator, called a settlement trustee, will review the claims and make decisions of how much compensation each victim receives.

For U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland information, visit http://www.mdb.uscourts.gov/

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