85 Clergy Sexual Abuse Claims Push Alexandria, La. Diocese to File Bankruptcy
written by Sean Piccoli, National Catholic Reporter
The Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana, a rural district, has filed for federal bankruptcy protection to begin resolving child sexual abuse claims against priests who served in the parish.
The diocese has identified more than 30 former clergy members (priests and deacons) whom it believes are credibly accused of committing sexual abuse in previous decades. While 85 people have already filed abuse claims, the diocese stated on its website that “we expect that number to rise” as the bankruptcy case progresses.
“Julien Lamothe, a lawyer representing two plaintiffs against the diocese, confirmed the existence of ‘pre-bankruptcy’ negotiations aimed at a speedier resolution of the case. ‘The survivors have been waiting a long time for some kind of closure, and it’s in everybody’s interest to get this done sooner,’ he told National Catholic Reporter.”
“Lamothe compared the Alexandria settlement case to another settlement in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, which took more than five years to reach a vote in late October and resulted in $50 million in attorney’s fees. ‘I don’t know that Alexandria has that luxury,’ Lamothe said. ‘They’re a poor diocese.’”
If a pastor, priest, rabbi, or other faith-based leader has sexually abused you or someone you love, please contact Lamothe Law Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation.
