Parishioners plea in court to suspend payments toward sex abuse settlement

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The faithful went from the pews to the courtroom Tuesday morning, seeking more time to fork over 80% of their cash on hand.

Several parishes in the Catholic Diocese met Tuesday morning at the State Supreme Court to ask Judge John Delmonte for more time before having to pay a portion of the clergy sex abuse settlement.

"There is no reason for these parishes to become extinct," prosecutors said in court.

"If a parish ultimately is closed, there is no need for a cash reserve," the defense argued.

Lawyers representing parishioners said their clients attend "vibrant, strong and healthy" parishes despite being slated to close or merge. Parishes slated to close or merge have to pay 80 percent of their unrestricted funds toward the clergy sex abuse settlement.

"If in fact that were to occur, that would just about be a death deal to our corporations and their ability to function," prosecutors said.

The defense argued some of these parishes were named in the allegations and without the allocated payment from each parish, it's going to be difficult to reach the $150 million dollar settlement.

Parishioners are asking for more time to hear from the Vatican to see if their church will be closing before the pay.

"We have a right to say our money needs to go here or there. Don't try to gag us and say you can't file this suit," said Mary Pruski with Save Our Buffalo Churches. "We don't need the bishops permission for our trustees to say this is wrong for my parish because they are pushing so hard. This is our only option to work on this problem at this time because the folks at the Vatican are swamped with work. We're using every tool in the tool box."

The Buffalo Diocese released a statement shortly after court:

"Despite the legal recourse that certain parishioners have pursued in State Supreme Court, we believe that the decision to bring together families of parishes — known as the Road to Renewal — is the surest path to defining the near- and longer-term future of Catholic ministry and impact across Western New York.

We also remain committed to fulfilling the agreement which has been agreed to 'in principle' by the Creditors Committee — which consists primarily of victim-survivors — in order to support their healing and to allow the Diocese to emerge from Chapter 11 status and finally move beyond this difficult and protracted episode." 

No decision was made in court Tuesday. Delmonte said he needs more time to review each side's argument before making a decision.