Clergy Abuse Updates: the “look back” window for filing sexual abuse claims is June 1, 2027.

May 5, 2025 – Motion to Dismiss Bankruptcy was filed on behalf of certain abuse victims. A preliminary hearing has been set by telephone for counsel on 5/29/25 at 1:30 pm.

Mediations were held April 1-4, 2025 and were unsuccessful. Plaintiffs counsels are discussing a new plan of action on moving forward to hold the abusers accountable.

  • The Archdiocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2020 to limit its liability from hundreds of claims of clergy abuse, spanning decades. 
  • The bankruptcy case has been highly contentious, with over $40 million in legal fees incurred by the Archdiocese. 
  • The case involves allegations of child sexual abuse, including one case where a retired priest pleaded guilty to child rape, according to The Guardian. 
  • The archdiocese and clergy abuse survivors remain far apart in settlement negotiations, with the survivors seeking $1 billion in compensation. 
  • The Archdiocese has been selling off real estate and is preparing to discontinue its newspaper’s print edition to help fund a potential settlement. 

https://www.nola.com/news/business/new-orleans-church-bankruptcy-settlement-talks-abuse-survivors/article_f62dd361-e871-44ce-8129-a7d7d9553f6a.html

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/31/new-orleans-archdiocese-child-sex-abuse-settlement

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/02/new-orleans-clergy-abuse-survivors-judge