On January 8, 1815, General Andrew Jackson led his American troops to an unlikely victory over the British in the famous Battle of New Orleans. Two weeks later, General Jackson joined thousands of others at a Mass of Thanksgiving held at the city’s Cathedral in the French Quarter. Jackson is reported to have paid a special visit to the nearby Ursuline sisters, thanking them for their prayers during the battle, and for tending the wounded (of both sides) afterwards.
In the wake of a startling court filing made in mid-July, it is fair to ask whether the intrepid spirit of the Ursuline nuns died with them. Based on a recent court filing in its bankruptcy proceedings, it seems clear that the Archdiocese of New Orleans has decided to go down without much of a fight.
On July 15, 2025, lawyers representing the Archdiocese filed with the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana a list of non-financial commitments it is pledging to assume as part of its Chapter 11 reorganization. Such agreements are common in bankruptcy filings by Catholic dioceses that are largely the result of claims of clergy sexual abuse of minors. The particular promises made in these agreements, however, can vary in number, scope, and duration.
Those made by the Archdiocese of New Orleans should cause every member of the faithful there grave concern—especially priests, seminarians, and their families and friends.
For instance, lawyers representing the Archdiocese agreed to make public documents related to any claim of sexual abuse made in the bankruptcy, including the personnel files of the accused (p. 25). Thus included are the deliberations of the Archdiocesan “Independent Review Board” (IRB) that consider these claims, any documents they review, and even the Archbishop’s own “determination as to any discipline arising from” the claim (p. 4, App. E).
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