ST. FRANCIS – Two days of mediation between attorneys for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors and attorneys and representatives from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee didn’t resolve the archdiocese’s Chapter 11 reorganization, but it resulted in an agreement for the sides to continue meeting.

The mediation was the outcome of a motion made by archdiocesan attorneys July 30, and approved by Judge Susan V. Kelley of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Wisconsin. The sides met in St. Paul, Minnesota, Sept. 8 and 9, and will meet in St. Paul again Sept. 22 and 23. The mediator is Judge Katherine A. Constantine, bankruptcy judge of the District of Minnesota, appointed to the case by Kelley.

Asked Sept. 11 about the process, Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki, noting that the deliberations of the mediation are confidential, said, “The good part is that we’re still talking. When we’re talking, I’m always hopeful.”

Representing the archdiocese at the mediation were the archbishop; Barbara Anne Cusack, archdiocesan chancellor; Jerry Topczewski, the archbishop’s chief of staff; Mark Hogan, vice chairman of the Archdiocesan Finance Council; and attorneys from Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. – Bruce Arnold, Daryl Diesing, Lindsey M. Greenawald and Frank LoCoco.

This marks the second time in the case that an attempt to mediate a settlement has occurred. The first was July 20-Sept. 20, 2012.

The archdiocese attempted to mediate with 24 victim/survivors between Oct. 18 and Nov. 11, 2010, offering a settlement of $4.6 million. Attorneys for the victim/survivors rejected the offer, and the archdiocese filed for reorganization on Jan. 4, 2011. To date, Chapter 11 legal fees and professional expenses have cost the archdiocese more than $15.1 million.