Archdiocese, committee representing abuse survivors, reach agreement in bankruptcy proceedings

In a letter to the half-million Catholics of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Archbishop Gregory Aymond announced May 21 that the archdiocese and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, which represents survivors of clergy sexual abuse, have reached a “memorandum of understanding” to settle the archdiocesan bankruptcy, which has spanned more than five years.

The memorandum of understanding must be confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court, which the Archbishop Aymond acknowledged in his letter to the clergy, religious and laity of the archdiocese will take time because "there remains much work to be done” in obtaining final approval.

He characterized the agreement as one that “protects our parishes and begins to bring the proceedings to a close.”

Archbishop Aymond expressed gratitude to God for those who had worked on the agreement, which he said would create a “path to healing for survivors” and for the local church.

Addressing abuse survivors specifically, Archbishop Aymond said he prays daily for their healing and welcomes opportunities for them to meet with him personally.

“Please know that as a Church, we hold you in our prayers and that I pray for you daily in a spirit of humility,” the archbishop wrote. “I look forward with great humility to meeting with you and hearing your painful stories. Please know that because of your courage in coming forward and your steadfast commitment to preventing the horrors of child sexual abuse, we are a better and stronger Church.”

Archbishop Aymond met with archdiocesan pastors earlier this week to share information about the memorandum.

“We will continue to share updates as they are available, for there remains much work to be done as we look ahead to confirming our plan in Federal Bankruptcy Court,” he wrote.

The archbishop also thanked the “faithful priests, deacons, religious and lay women and men” of the archdiocese for their prayers and their commitment to growing in faith and participating in the life of the Church.

“I am grateful to you for your perseverance and growth in faith and trust in Christ and ask that you continue to hold all of this in prayer as we move forward,” he wrote.