Baltimore archbishop gives update on church bankruptcy with number of abuse survivor claimants unclear

BALTIMORE -- – The exact number of Catholic church abuse survivors remains unknown as claimants in the Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy case are being vetted.

"That will eventually drive the rest of the process and inform the rest of the process," Paul Jan Zdunek, chair of the creditor's committee of survivors, said.

Zdunek and Archbishop William Lori held a press conference Monday to give an update on the case ahead of a mediation process.

"It's not just the number. It represents so many people who have been harmed," Archbishop Lori said. "Really, the aim is to help provide a path toward healing in their lives."

The archbishop and a chairperson representing abuse victims say it's too early to say how many have filed claims, as many of the hundreds still need to be vetted.

Archbishop Lori described the claims received as, "stories of abuse, the misuse of power, the stories of how the most innocent have been harmed."

The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy days before the state's new Child Victims Act went into effect last year, eliminating the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse claims.

Public testimony from abuse survivors

Archbishop Lori was in the courtroom during multiple days of public testimony by several abuse survivors. Many detailed not only the abuse itself but also decades of fallout stemming from it.

It mirrored much of what was published last year in a years-long investigation by the Attorney General. It identified 158 clergy and other church staff accused of abusing more than 600 victims.

Lori says he understands the sentiment of some survivors who want the church to go under.

"It's understandable. As the shepherd of the church, I need to continue and sustain that mission. Do I understand how they might feel? I certainly try to," Archbishop Lori said.

The survivors' committee chair said their priority is to ensure future abuse is prevented.

How much will survivors be paid? 

The two sides will enter a mediation process where a yet-to-be-decided amount of money will be paid out to survivors based on the severity of the abuse.

Zdunek says the money paid out to each victim isn't equally divided and is usually based on a range of severity of abuse cases.

"There's a wide range of those who want the church to go under, but also those who are continuing their faith in their own churches still," Zdunek said. 

"We're going to work to achieve a number that is mutually agreed upon but will still enable the church to continue its mission," Archbishop Lori said.

While the mediation process could take more than a year, a status conference in this case is planned for Wednesday morning.