Milwaukee Archdiocese and abuse victims to enter mediation

Clergy abuse victims and the Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese will enter mediation, in the next step of the Archdiocese bankruptcy proceedings.

The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection 18 months ago, and there have been contentious debates in the bankruptcy courtroom and on the Milwaukee Federal Courthouse steps . The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, says the Catholic Church has taken the toughest stand against the hundreds of Milwaukee clergy abuse victims of all the Catholic bankruptcy cases around the U.S.. SNAP Midwest Director Peter Isely says bankruptcy judge Susan Kelley ordering mediation for the abuse victims, other creditors and the church is good news, but he blames the archdiocese for it taking this long to start.

A retired federal bankruptcy judge from California who has worked on other church bankruptcy cases will serve as the mediator. Isely says Milwaukee judge Kelley has promised that the mediator will be compassionate.

The mediation will start July 20th. The Milwaukee Archdiocese has issued a written statement saying it enters the talks in an open and sincere effort to resolve claims, just as it has done with nearly 200 individuals through an independent mediation program. The church says it hopes the mediator can help determine which claims are eligible for compensation. cq,