Diocese: 105 Clergy Sex Abuse Survivors?

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
The Gallup Independent
November 19, 2013

http://gallupindependent.com/

ALBUQUERQUE — For more than a decade, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup has declined to specify how many alleged victims have come forward with allegations of clergy sex abuse.

But during the diocese’s first hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Friday — mixed into the courtroom’s opening discussion of how to keep the diocese operational and how the Chapter 11 process will begin to move forward — a startling number emerged against the backdrop of mundane details. It was a number that was repeatedly referenced in discussions about mailing lists, notices that had to be sent, and names and addresses that had to be kept confidential.

Based on statements made by Judge David T. Thuma, as well as by attorneys for both the diocese and for some of the abuse survivors, apparently 105 people have come forward and said they are survivors of clergy sex abuse in the diocese. That number includes people who have already signed financial settlements with the diocese in the past, people who came forward with allegations but did not seek settlements and those who have current claims against the diocese.

Because the 105 names are included on the case’s confidential mailing list, presumably all 105 individuals are still living.

This figure significantly boosts any previous estimates as to the total number of clergy sex abuse victims in the Gallup Diocese. A number of alleged victims are deceased, including some who have committed suicide and others who have died of alcohol and drug abuse, based on past reporting. It is also possible that more abuse survivors could come forward.

As part of the Chapter 11 process, a “bar date” deadline will be set. Abuse survivors who want to file a claim against the Gallup Diocese must come forward by that date.

According to the hearing Friday, the court will be approving a plan to provide notice to abuse survivors and the public, and a creditors’ committee will be formed. In church bankruptcy cases, the creditors’ committees generally have five to seven members who are clergy sex abuse survivors.

Also Friday, Thuma ruled that employees of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup can continue to be paid and receive benefits during bankruptcy protection proceedings.

For those interested in reading the documents the Diocese of Gallup initially filed in bankruptcy court, they are available for download via the Voice of the Southwest website. They are located in the “News” section under the headline “Chapter 11 Filing: Documents from November 12 and 13.”