Spokane Diocese Files For Chapter 11 Protection

[Tab]

SPOKANE - Overwhelmed by sexual abuse lawsuits involving priests, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane on Monday became the third in the nation to file for bankruptcy protection.

The diocese does not have the money to cover claims that already total some $77 million, so Chapter 11 bankruptcy is the best way to ensure that all victims are treated fairly and that the church continues its mission, Bishop William Skylstad said.

"Demands by plaintiffs continue to be beyond the ability of the diocese to meet," Skylstad, who was just elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told a news conference.

In its filing, the diocese listed assets of $11.1 million and liabilities of $81.3 million, nearly all of them sexual abuse claims.
http://www.komotv.com/stories/34281.htm

One thing about filing for bankruptcy is that your assets (or lack thereof) are now public information. It will be interesting to see what happens when other diocese file as well. These guys have more assets than they let on.

[bemildred]

1. So the Catholic Church is brought down by pedophila.

Oh, the irony.

[RPM]

2. what about transfers in anticipation of BKR

If the Spokane diocese has made transfers prior to BKR, is it possible for the BKR court to go after the body to whom the assets were transferred?

If so - will the BKR courts go after the Vatican..... Ooooooh, i sure hope so.

[Tansy_Gold]

5. There may also be questions regarding what are the assets

of the diocese and what are the assets of the individual parishes.

This is already being raised in the bankruptcy of the Tucson AZ RC diocese. The Church is trying to protect the local parishes' property so they can continue to operate. Considering that many churches -- and not just catholic ones -- own valuable real estate that is untaxed, this could get very interesting.


Tansy Gold, no lover of the RC Church

[brentspeak]

3. So much for the "isolated incidents" the Catholic PR claim

These pedophilia incidents re. Roman Catholic priests seem to be in every single diocese, worldwide.

[Old and In the Way]

4. Looks like they'll be taking their vows of poverty more seriously in

Spokane.

[Erika]

6. I could care less about the Catholic Church after

some of their priests knifed Kerry in the back. They should clean up their own act before condemning others.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. Yo! Popester, mah man, cough up some bling there, bud

The catholic church has more money than god.

My heart bleeds for the religion my parents raised me in ...... not.

::::looking up::::: sorry Mom.