BishopAccountability.org
	Nov. 30 Is New Deadline for Jesuit Abuse Claims By Mary Beth Smetzer News-Miner June 2, 2009 http://newsminer.com/news/2009/jun/02/nov-30-new-deadline-jesuit-abuse-claims/ FAIRBANKS — Survivors of Jesuit sexual abuse have a second chance to file legal claims against the Society of Jesus Oregon Province. An Oregon Federal Court bankruptcy judge has set a Nov. 30 deadline for new claimants to come forward. Judge Elizabeth L. Perris set the claims filing deadline with no geographical limitations, either nationally or internationally. The Portland-based province that encompasses five states, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Washington and Montana filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition in mid-February citing mounting legal claims of clergy sex abuse. Northwest attorneys already handling several hundred sex abuse claims against Jesuit clergy expect the numbers of victims to increase significantly since the province is required by law to advertise the deadline. After the Fairbanks Catholic Diocese filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in 2007 and a similar court-mandated deadline for abuse claims was advertised, the number of claimants doubled from 145 to almost 300. Many of the pre-bankruptcy Alaska victims were part of a $50 million settlement made with the Jesuit province in November 2007, and the plaintiffs also have claims against the Fairbanks Diocese where the abuse took place. “We think the numbers increased because the bishop was required by the federal bankruptcy court to publicize the deadline, and he was required to urge people to make claims,” said Ken Roosa, an Anchorage attorney who represents the majority of Alaska claimants. “Those who didn’t get the word or who were of a divided mind about filing against the bishop can still file against the Jesuits,” Roosa said. “This is their opportunity to make their claim, and if their claim is not used, they will be forever prohibited from making a claim.” Roosa is convinced that there are many victims who have yet to come forward. “I firmly believe that in villages like Kaltag and Holy Cross, and other villages as well, that there are more victims and that no one in a position of authority has given permission for people to speak out.” Roosa bases his belief on the fact that known abusers lived in these communities and had abused in villages where they were stationed before and afterward. The attorney said he will be filing claims for clients who were not part of the 2007 Jesuit settlement as soon as the Portland court announces a procedure for filing claims and approves a format for the claims themselves. Six attorneys from four law firms in the Pacific Northwest are working with hundreds of clerical sex abuse victims, many who were abused at remote missions and reservations in Washington, Montana, Idaho and Alaska, including the Colville Reservation in Washington, Nez Perce/Lapwai mission in Idaho, and the St. Paul, St. Anne and St. Ignatius missions in Montana. Other claimants allegedly were abused at Gonzaga University, Gonzaga Preparatory School (Spokane), Seattle University, Seattle Preparatory School, Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma) and Catholic churches around the region. Leander “Lee” James of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, said the group of attorneys joined to champion the rights of sex abuse victims from “survivors to thrivers.” “This is a social justice issue here,” he said. “We want to bring justice to as many victims as possible.” “One of the positive aspects of pursuing legal action,” James said, “is the protection of children, redressing the past and negotiating institutional change for children.” The Jesuits Oregon Province is the first major Roman Catholic religious order to seek bankruptcy reorganization. Province superior, the Very Rev. Patrick Lee, S.J., released a statement saying the northwest province “continues to cooperate with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and supports its November 30 deadline for submitting claims alleging misconduct by members of the Oregon Jesuit Province. “We continue to pray for justice, healing and reconciliation for all who are involved in these legal proceedings.”
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