Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Back on Dec. 29, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York entered the “Non-testimonial Statement Order” granting the request of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors for the presentation of nontestimonial statements in the bankruptcy case.
Attorney Steve Boyd represents some clergy abuse victims, and says this has happened in Rochester among other dioceses.
"Because the diocese filed bankruptcy, people did not get their day in court. So people will be able to go and tell their story to the judge and to the bishop who will be present to say exactly what happened to them," explained Boyd in an interview with WBEN.
He says the reason they call it non-testimonial is these statements will not be used in any later court proceeding, so this would be their day in court.
In a regular court case, Boyd says a person would give testimony, be asked questions and answer those questions, and then the opposing side would have the chance to cross examine them and ask other questions that might, in some way, diminish the statement or call into questions a person's credibility.
"That's not going to happen here," Boyd said. "These are just public statements that are going to be made without any controversy and without anybody cross examining anyone or questioning anyone. People will be able to get up, tell their story and have their story heard by the judge and by the members of the Diocese and whoever else is there."
He says this can be helpful in the healing process for victims.
"We've had a number of clients over the years that have been very nervous about whether or not they should testify, and then after they give their statement, they feel a sense of relief. They feel that they were heard. And that is an experience that I've seen repeated over and over again with survivors who come forward and speak in this venue," Boyd noted.
The hearings for the statements will take place at the Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse, 2 Niagara Square, Buffalo, New York on:
- Jan. 27, 2026 starting at 10 a.m.
- Jan. 28, 2026 starting at 10 a.m.
- Feb. 25, 2026 starting at 10 a.m.
- Feb. 26, 2026 starting at 10 a.m.
Any person impacted by the Bankruptcy Case who would like the opportunity to make a statement should contact, or, if represented by counsel, should have their counsel contact the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors DioceseBuffaloCommittee@pszjlaw.com or (212)-319-5527 by Jan. 15 and include the Speaker’s, or the Speaker’s counsel’s contact information and the Speaker’s interest in the Bankruptcy Case.