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The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, Vermont, is facing a surge of new child sexual abuse claims—more than 100 additional submissions—amid its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. VT Digger is reporting that these 118 newly filed claims follow 67 previous lawsuits settled over the past two decades, which collectively cost the diocese $34.5 million and led to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2023.
Now the state’s largest religious institution, which has long grappled with allegations of priest misconduct dating back to the 1950s, is attempting to restructure its finances in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Federal Judge Heather Cooper, who is overseeing the case, has paused all pending and potential litigation, encouraging new claimants to file confidential reports as part of the bankruptcy process.
Because the court cannot hold hearings to weigh the allegations—none of which are publicly disclosed—survivors have been invited to share impact statements during a special non-evidentiary session scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Burlington’s Federal Building.
“For many survivors, it took years and a lot of courage to come forward, so when the diocese filed for bankruptcy, it robbed those survivors of their opportunity to stand in front of a jury of their peers,” said a lawyer representing the committee of abuse survivors. “The survivors’ statements are a way to at least tell their story.”
The Burlington Diocese is the 40th Catholic entity in the U.S. to seek bankruptcy protection in the wake of the church’s widespread sexual abuse crisis. As part of the bankruptcy process, the court requires full disclosure of assets and liabilities before approving any reorganization plan.
Currently, abuse claimants are seeking transparency and access to records about diocesan assets, including $35 million tied to church headquarters and other statewide operations. The most contentious issue may revolve around the 63 parishes under the diocese’s control, whose estimated $500 million collective value could play a key role in potential compensation for survivors.
The news comes on the heels of several large-scale Catholic Church settlements across the country. The Buffalo Diocese reached a $150 Million settlement with 850 sexual abuse victims; the Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to settle 1,353 claims for $880 million while the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island, NY settled more than 500 clergy abuse claims for $323 million.
If you or someone you love was abused by a Catholic priest or clergy member, you may still have time to pursue legal action. Learn more about your rights, upcoming deadlines, and how to file a claim by visiting our Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Guide.
