The Diocese of Buffalo is seeking confirmation of a joint plan that would fund a trust to resolve abuse claims, with objections to its proposed releases and injunctions. The second amended plan Dkt. 5076 proposes $326,452,500 in funding; confirmation and resolution of the objections are the material steps toward implementation.

The Diocese of Buffalo’s Chapter 11 case is proceeding toward confirmation of a joint plan to resolve abuse claims through a trust, subject to objections over releases and insurance rights. The Diocese filed for Chapter 11 on February 28, 2020. Its second amended plan Dkt. 5076, filed with the additional debtors and the unsecured creditors’ committee on August 27, 2026, would continue the debtors as nonprofit corporations and channel covered abuse claims to the trust.

The plan proposes $326,452,500 in trust and settlement-fund funding: $150 million from the Diocese, additional debtors and contributing non-debtor entities, potentially including up to $25 million evidenced by a Diocese trust note, and $176,452,500 from settling insurers. Abuse claimants would vote on the plan and receive distributions under a claims evaluation process; allowed general unsecured claims would be paid in full unless their holders agree otherwise. The plan also proposes releases and injunctions while generally preserving claims against non-settling insurers and excluded parties, subject to stated exceptions. Second Amended Plan Dkt. 5076.

On October 16, the court assigned each abuse victim’s claim a nominal $1 value for plan voting purposes in its written opinion Dkt. 5191. The U.S. Trustee’s objection Dkt. 5179 challenges, among other provisions, proposed nonconsensual releases, injunctions and the calculation of quarterly fees. OLV Human Services’ objection Dkt. 5182 contends that the insurance settlement and plan could impair its rights under its own policies. Confirmation and plan effectiveness remain the path to establishing and funding the trust.

Separately, the court approved a $4.6 million sale and partial leaseback of Buffalo Main Street properties in its May 29 sale order Dkt. 4844. For another property at 5875 Ellicot Street Road, the October 13 bidding procedures order Dkt. 5155 set a December 1, 2026 bid deadline and a December 4 auction if more than one qualified bid is received; a sale requires a later hearing.

The Diocese of Buffalo is seeking confirmation of a joint plan that would fund a trust to resolve abuse claims, with objections to its proposed releases and injunctions. The second amended plan Dkt. 5076 proposes $326,452,500 in funding; confirmation and resolution of the objections are the material steps toward implementation.

The Diocese of Buffalo’s Chapter 11 case is proceeding toward confirmation of a joint plan to resolve abuse claims through a trust, subject to objections over releases and insurance rights. The Diocese filed for Chapter 11 on February 28, 2020. Its second amended plan Dkt. 5076, filed with the additional debtors and the unsecured creditors’ committee on August 27, 2026, would continue the debtors as nonprofit corporations and channel covered abuse claims to the trust.

The plan proposes $326,452,500 in trust and settlement-fund funding: $150 million from the Diocese, additional debtors and contributing non-debtor entities, potentially including up to $25 million evidenced by a Diocese trust note, and $176,452,500 from settling insurers. Abuse claimants would vote on the plan and receive distributions under a claims evaluation process; allowed general unsecured claims would be paid in full unless their holders agree otherwise. The plan also proposes releases and injunctions while generally preserving claims against non-settling insurers and excluded parties, subject to stated exceptions. Second Amended Plan Dkt. 5076.

On October 16, the court assigned each abuse victim’s claim a nominal $1 value for plan voting purposes in its written opinion Dkt. 5191. The U.S. Trustee’s objection Dkt. 5179 challenges, among other provisions, proposed nonconsensual releases, injunctions and the calculation of quarterly fees. OLV Human Services’ objection Dkt. 5182 contends that the insurance settlement and plan could impair its rights under its own policies. Confirmation and plan effectiveness remain the path to establishing and funding the trust.

Separately, the court approved a $4.6 million sale and partial leaseback of Buffalo Main Street properties in its May 29 sale order Dkt. 4844. For another property at 5875 Ellicot Street Road, the October 13 bidding procedures order Dkt. 5155 set a December 1, 2026 bid deadline and a December 4 auction if more than one qualified bid is received; a sale requires a later hearing.