To the Editor:
It seems to me that $34.5 million is more than enough to settle 67 clergy misconduct lawsuits especially since no clergy has ever been convicted of a crime in these cases.
The State of Vermont changed its statute of limitations law to allow 119 more cases to be added to the lawsuit. Why aren’t the perpetrators of the crimes held accountable? The laity of the church did not commit these crimes. Why should they have to pay? What other group of people like teachers, scout leaders, legislators make the entire group pay for the crime of one.
You don’t have to be Catholic to realize something is very wrong with our legal and judicial systems to allow these cases to continue to bankrupt The Diocese of Burlington.
-Dorothy R. Bolduc
Editor’s note: the Catholic Diocese of Burlington Chapter 11 bankruptcy case, in 2024 filed in response to the payments referenced above. According to media reports, creditors are requesting sale of church property.