Dear Friends in Christ,
As I recently shared with you, as a result of a new law that takes effect October 1st the Archdiocese of Baltimore faces a great number of lawsuits of historic cases of child sexual abuse that were previously barred by Maryland law. After consulting with numerous lay leaders and the clergy of the Archdiocese, I have made the decision I believe will best allow the Archdiocese both to equitably compensate victim-survivors of child sexual abuse and ensure the local Church can continue its mission and ministries. Thus, the Archdiocese of Baltimore has filed for Chapter 11 reorganization.
This announcement will no doubt raise several questions and concerns that I will strive to address today and over the coming months. Before I do so, however, I must pause to offer my heartfelt and enduring apology for the Church’s past failings. We cannot and will never forget the devastation caused by some ministers of the Church.
I acknowledge that no apology, compensation, or knowledge of our present-day accountability measures will necessarily lead to healing for victim survivors, nor repair the harm they suffered. To be sure, conversations with victim-survivors have taught me that neither I nor the Archdiocese can undo what was taken from them. At the same time, the Church cannot and will not abandon its moral responsibility to assist victims and accompany them on their journeys.
Chapter 11 is one of two types of bankruptcy. With an approved plan under Chapter 11, the Archdiocese will be reorganized, victim-survivors will be equitably compensated, and the Church will continue its mission and ministries. This is different from Chapter 7 bankruptcy where organizations sell all of their assets to satisfy creditors and shutter their doors.
We expect that our reorganization will involve several steps over the next two to three years. Generally speaking, shortly after today’s filing, the bankruptcy court will begin to accept claims from victim-survivors for a specified period of time. The Archdiocese and victim-survivors will then enter negotiations with the hope of agreeing to a plan that includes a trust fund to provide compensation. If a plan is approved by the bankruptcy court, no future claims for past cases of abuse can be brought against the Church. Additional information on the process, including answers to frequently asked questions is posted on our Archdiocesan website: www.archbalt.org.
Chapter 11 reorganization is the best path forward to compensate equitably all victim-survivors, given the Archdiocese’s limited financial resources, which would have otherwise been exhausted on litigation. Staggering legal fees and large settlements or jury awards for a few victim-survivors would have depleted our financial resources, leaving the vast majority of victim-survivors without compensation, while ending ministries that families across Maryland rely on for material and spiritual support.
The Church’s efforts to eradicate the scourge of child sexual abuse from our parishes, schools and ministries and to provide care and compensation to those harmed did not begin with today’s Chapter 11 reorganization, and our efforts most certainly will not end here. This journey has included many steps over the past 3 decades─from our zero-tolerance policies, extensive training and reporting requirements and pastoral care to voluntary settlements offered to victim-survivors and today’s action.
We steadfastly hope and pray those who have been harmed can find some peace in the light that has been shone on the Church’s sinful past, as well as solace through the pastoral care and financial compensation that we hope will be provided under the reorganization process.
Most Reverend William E. Lori
Archbishop of Baltimore
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving.
I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory.
Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of Your Body and Blood, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strenghten me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you.
May I live in you and you in me in this life and in the life to come. Amen
Dear Church Family ~ Wishing you a blessed and peaceful New Year!
As we continue to Seek the City to Come, your voice in 2024 remains even more vital to the vision and trajectory of our City Church of Baltimore, and your full participation and feedback will instrumentally impact the landscape and new model for our Catholic presence in the City and our surrounding county. Your voice as Missionary Disciples matters, and we will all be called to embrace change in the New Year, as we journey with God’s Love and through the power of the Holy Spirit toward the vision that we seek and ultimately see.
Your presence, time and commitment is vital to the Mission, and your Voice is crucial to empowering the Vision. Please be reminded of the following upcoming dates and events :
Pastors/Parish Leadership Gathering
Let’s encourage each other and move forward in Hope!
Peace and Love in the New Year,
At St. Ambrose Catholic Church, we don’t think of ourselves as a congregation of parishioners; we are members
of our church family. As with any family, we are made up of individuals. Look at us and you will see the faces
of African-Americans and immigrants bowed in prayer; listen to us and you’ll hear the cadences of the Caribbean
and Africa mixing with the accents of Maryland, traces of the Carolinas, Georgia (and maybe even Kansas) as we
lift our voices in praise.
We are bound together by our faith. We know that no matter how hard or easy the road has been or promises to be,
the hand of God is always guiding us as we strive forward. We believe in God’s goodness because we see it in our
lives each day, and as we give thanks for our blessings, we know that they are not ours alone.
This church is our home, and every home belongs to a neighborhood. As individuals and as a church, St. Ambrose has
grown up in Park Heights, and we “don’t forget where we’ve come from.” We have broken bread, baptized our children,
married, and buried our loved ones here. Just as this neighborhood has sheltered our church and allowed us to grow,
we recognize our need to give back to our community and to remain connected to this neighborhood.
We love our faith, we love our church – we know we’ve got a good thing going and we are eager to share it with others.
Come and join us – we’re just waiting to say, “Welcome to the family.”
Saint Ambrose Parish Mission is to live and fullfill the Gospel ofJesus Christ through our Acts of Love, Kindness, and Hospitality.