Clergy Abuse Victims Testify In Wilmington Diocese Bankruptcy Proceedings

In what appears to be a first, seven victims of clergy sexual abuse were called to testify in the bankruptcy proceedings for the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware.  Today's Delaware News Journal reports that the testimony came as Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Sontchi is considering whether to lift a stay on lawsuits against the Diocese. Eighty-one civil lawsuits have been filed, and some are on track to go to trial in state court this fall. All seven victims who testified said they wanted to move ahead with litigation and did not trust the Diocese to negotiate in good faith in settlement talks.