MILWAUKEE -- In March, an appeals court ruled a $55 million cemetery trust fund is fair game in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s bankruptcy case, and now, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's "Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust" has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court -- asking that they review the appeals court decision relating to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago in May that the fund created by New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan when he was archbishop of Milwaukee is not covered by the federal law that protects religious organizations from government interference.
Attorneys for clergy sexual abuse victims say Dolan created the fund to hide money from their clients. The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in 2011.
Hundreds of victims have since filed claims against the archdiocese.
SNAP, the Survivors Network for Those Abused by Priests has issued this statement:
The appeals court’s ruling reversed a judge’s decision that had found that the cemetery fund couldn’t be touched. The appeals court sent the case back to the lower court for further proceedings.
READ IT: Archdiocese of Milwaukee Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust filing with Supreme Court