SNAP: Archdiocese could ask judge to stop payments to victims

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, says on Thursday, February 21st the Archdiocese of Milwaukee could ask a judge to stop payments to victims and creditors' legal representatives due to a lack of financial resources.

The hearing comes the day after Cardinal Timothy Dolan was deposed in New York.

Dolan was one of two men deposed by lawyers representing victims in the Milwaukee Archdiocese abuse case. Dolan was Archbishop in Milwaukee from 2002 until 2009.

Representatives from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee were in New York for the deposition.

“It’s clear in talking with Cardinal Dolan that he was part of the solution not part of the problem and I think that`s clear looking back and history will judge all the good work that Cardinal Dolan did when he was in Milwaukee,” Jerry Topczewski, Milwaukee Archbishop Chief of Staff said.

The Archdiocese says Dolan was the first to publicize the names of priests who had abused children and worked to ensure future children would be safe. The deposition was in bankruptcy court as part of the Archdiocese’s Chapter 11 proceedings.

SNAP said in a statement released Wednesday evening, “We are grateful and encouraged by this. This happens all too rarely.”

The statement goes on to say, “Dolan has been particularly adept at evading responsibility for his wrongdoing in clergy sex cases, having moved twice since the scandal started gaining international attention more than a decade ago.”

During the 2:30 p.m. court hearing on Thursday, February 21st SNAP officials say they may ask the judge to throw some of the cases out.

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