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  Diocese Bankruptcy Case to Remain Open

By Ann McGlynn
Quad-City Times

July 5, 2008

http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2008/07/05/news/local/doc4870305da9766220009269.txt?sPos=2

The bankruptcy case of the Diocese of Davenport will not be closed until the diocese submits three annual reports on the progress of nonmonetary promises made in the bankruptcy settlement.

Judge Lee Jackwig ruled that the reports are required for her to close the case. The final report must be submitted by May 2011.

Meanwhile, the diocese continues work on the 18 provisions, officials said.

It sent a report concerning now-retired Bishop Lawrence Soens, who is predominantly accused of abusing boys while he worked at Regina High School in Iowa City, to the highest Catholic office in the United States, the Apostolic Nuncio. Diocesan officials declined to comment on what the report says. The attorney for Soens, who served as bishop in Sioux City and lives there, could not be reached for comment.

The diocese also will release a list of accused clergy, including additional yet-unnamed clergy. Officials said they expect the list to be completed this fall and posted online at the diocese’s Web site.

However, an attorney for many of the sex abuse victims questions that timeline, saying it is supposed to be done within a month of what is called the "effective date" of the bankruptcy. That would mean the list should be posted this week.

"I get calls weekly from survivors asking that the names be released," Craig Levien said. "If there are on-going investigations, that can be released as it comes available. It was high on these people’s priority list to have the names released. Further delay is unacceptable."

The diocese’s clergy will be signing statements next month that they do not know of any abuse or did not abuse anyone themselves, officials said.

Plaques have been posted in all diocesan schools saying that abuse will not be tolerated, and Bishop Martin Amos is scheduling times to visit parishes affected by abuse.

The effort to train staff and volunteers in the diocese on sex abuse reporting procedures as well as offering help for abuse victims continues, officials said.

The diocese filed for bankruptcy in October 2006 after it

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lost its first civil sex abuse trial. The lawsuit was brought by Mike Uhde, who was awarded $1.5 million by a Scott County jury for abuse he suffered as a child by the late Monsignor Thomas Feeney.

The diocese, its insurance company and the creditors committee agreed to a $37 million settlement, with the stipulation that all Catholic entities in the diocese were to be released from liability just as the diocese will be released once the bankruptcy process is completed.

Insurance company Travelers paid $19.5 million, the deed to the diocese-owned St. Vincent Center valued at $3.9 million was turned over to the bankruptcy trustee and the diocese paid $13.5 million, including contributions from four diocesan churches and a loan. A total of 162 sex abuse victims are covered by the settlement.

Ann McGlynn can be contacted at (563) 383-2336 or amcglynn@qctimes.com

 
 

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