Statement from Bishop McDermott, September 30, 2026

Bishop John McDermott announced that the Diocese of Burlington has not made sufficient progress two years after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. The filing was a response to legal claims pending against the diocese after the State of Vermont removed the statute of limitations for cases involving the sexual abuse of minors.

The diocese has sold available properties to fund a trust for claimants, reduced its employee base by half, and lowered expenditures. However, McDermott stated that legal and administrative expenses have exceeded two million dollars without any funds being distributed to claimants. These costs cover the legal teams representing both the diocese and the creditors committee.

The bishop said the diocese remains far from a resolution that would compensate victims and allow the diocese to rebuild. He also noted that the creditors committee recently began an adversarial procedure.