Our View: Stockton Diocese May Ask for Bankruptcy Protection

The Modesto Bee
December 14, 2013

http://www.modbee.com/2013/12/14/3085737/diocese-may-ask-for-bankruptcy.html



The faith of area Catholics is about to be tested anew. The Stockton Diocese, which covers Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Tuolumne and three other counties, is likely to ask for bankruptcy protection early in 2014.

Not unexpected, it results from the clergy sexual-abuse scandal that erupted across the nation a decade ago. The Stockton Diocese had one of the worst offenders in Oliver O’Grady. By his own perverted count, he abused 25 children. Bishop Roger Mahony, now a disgraced cardinal, knew of O’Grady’s crimes. Instead of turning him over to authorities, he sent O’Grady into treatment. Treated then reassigned, O’Grady abused again.

Some 20 lawsuits have resulted with four more in litigation and even more likely. The diocese has paid out millions and expects to be liable for more.

“We have an obligation to victims,” said Bishop Stephen Blaire, who replaced Mahony 14 years ago. “(But) we have run out of funds for settlements. … So we needed to come up with a way in which we can provide some compensation for the victims and enable the church to continue to do her work.”

Stockton will be either the ninth or tenth diocese under bankruptcy protection depending on whether Gallup, N.M., goes first. Nationwide, at least $2billion has been paid to victims.

How will bankruptcy be felt in the pews? Blaire hopes to minimize the impact.

“The corporation that is declaring bankruptcy – if we make this final decision – is the diocese,” said Blaire. “The parishes are separate, and they should not in any way be affected.”

So St. Stanislaus won’t have a new landlord; no one will repossess the piano at Sacred Heart. Since nearly all of the 88 priests work for the 35 parishes (14 in Stanislaus), they won’t be laid off. But that is beside the point. The victims must come first.

And there are larger questions:

• How can it keep it from happening again?

• How can one of the world’s forces for good continue its vital work?

• How can the faithful be reassured that their pastors are worthy shepherds?

• With its emphasis on ritual and mystery, will the church have the courage to address the causes and implement solutions?

Priests are not hired, they are called. This crisis was a terrible breach of faith by only a tiny fraction of America’s 41,500 priests and 17,000 deacons. And no one should underestimate how deeply this crisis troubles most Catholics. Seventy percent told a pollster that clergy sexual abuse is the most important issue confronting their church. Some compare the shame of it to the Inquisition.

Pope Francis this week appointed a committee of eight cardinals to re-examine what is a true crisis for most American Catholics. As they pray for the victims, they’re also praying that their church doesn’t avert its eyes from the truth. Anyone who even tacitly condoned this conduct must go. Church employees must accept their responsibility to report any such crimes to authorities – just like teachers, doctors and a host of others.

All Catholics have a role to play in ensuring there will be no repeat of these awful crimes. Being involved in the work of their church is the most vital step.

“The diocese wants to continue to do what it is supposed to do,” said Blaire, “preach the gospel, reach out to the poor … But first of all, we have to meet our responsibilities to those who have been hurt by clergy sexual abuse.”

Amen.




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