The Official Committee of Survivors in the Albany Bankruptcy has learned that Bishop Scharfenberger’s resignation has been accepted by Pope Leo, and that Rev. Mark O’Connell, currently an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Boston, has been appointed to replace him. A link to the Diocese’s press conference is below:

https://wnyt.com/top-stories/new-bishop-to-take-over-as-head-of-roman-catholic-diocese-of-albany

We will update you on further developments as they occur.

On September 10-12, 2025, 52 Survivors presented their impact statements at a hearing before the Bankruptcy Court.  Bishop Edward Scharfenberger and other Diocese representatives were also present to hear the impact statements. The Committee is grateful to the brave Survivors who shared the truth about their abuse and its effect on their lives. The Committee is also hopeful that the impact statements will increase understanding regarding the tremendous pain and challenges Survivors endured and continue to endure as a result of their difficult experiences.  At this time, no additional hearings for the presentation of impact statements have been scheduled or approved by the Court, but additional hearings may be possible if more Survivors express an interest in presenting a statement.  Please inform your attorney if you are represented and wish to make a statement.  If you are not represented and wish to speak, please contact Stinson at Albanysurvivorteam@stinson.com

Judge Littlefield Rules Insurers Do Not Have Standing to Object to Survivor Claims

In a significant victory for Survivors, Judge Littlefield has issued a decision that has wide-ranging implications. Specifically, Judge Littlefield concluded that insurers who deny that they are financially responsible for survivor claims do not—without more—have standing (the ability to act in Court) to object to survivor claims. The decision is instructive with regard to when and whether insurance companies have the ability to act in bankruptcy cases.

In the Diocese of Albany case, two of the Diocese’s insurance carriers, London Market Insurers and the Hartford, objected to nearly 50 survivor claims. The Committee challenged the objections, arguing that the insurers did not have standing to object. Judge Littlefield agreed, writing:  “As the Court stated on the record, it is difficult to “understand how [the Insurers] create the thread that [the Insurers] have standing when [they] have nothing at stake, [they] have no skin in the game.” 

The Committee applauds this decision and is hopeful that it will recognized across the country in situations where insurance companies attempt to interfere in bankruptcy cases to the detriment of Survivors.

Over the course of three days, 50 Survivors will be providing Survivor impact statements before Judge Littlefield and representatives of the Catholic church.  The Official Committee of Survivors wishes to express its profound gratitude to every Survivor sharing the impact of the horrible abuse they endured.  Below are the details of these hearings if you’d like to attend.  While the schedule is full at this point, if you are a Survivor and interested in making a statement should additional dates be arranged in the future, just email albanysurvivorteam@stinson.com.