As of late September, court-ordered mediation between victims of ministerial sex abuse and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee has finally achieved some kind of results.

According to Jerry Topczewski, a spokesperson for the archdiocese, "much progress" has been made.

But what is the progress that has been made? And what sets this dispute apart from the dozens of "pedophile priest" cases around the United States? Read on to find out.

Why is the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in Civil Mediation?

The Milwaukee diocese is unique in the country in being the diocese to declare bankruptcy under the charge of the largest number of claimants. The diocese has buckled under the financial burden of nearly 500 individuals who claim childhood abuse by clergy or other members working for the Roman Catholic Church in Milwaukee.

(A diocese is an area of administration governed by a bishop; it is separated into several parishes. An archdiocese is a larger administrative area, often associated with large metropolitan areas.)

Bankruptcy, Chapter 11

The archdiocese of Milwaukee has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Chapter 11 is used for entities (usually corporations) to re-organize themselves. It is often used in order to liquidate assets.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy can be proposed by any party that holds interest in the entity's financial conditions; creditors then get to vote for a plan. This plan has been used by several U.S. cities that have filed for bankruptcy during the "Great Recession."

Why is the Diocese Filing Bankruptcy During Mediation Services?

The Roman Catholic Church in Milwaukee is staring down the barrel of a massive lawsuit. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Susan V. Kelley mandated a 60-day mediation period between the archdiocese, and the nearly 500 victims and alleged victims.

The church is facing down over a dozen civil fraud lawsuits over the way it has handled clergy sex abuse cases. It is considering Chapter 11 as part of its settlement with its victims. This, while the mediation period was supposed to end on September 25, 2012, it has been extended to October 2.