New Ulm Diocese Files for Bankruptcy

KSTP
March 3, 2017

http://kstp.com/news/new-ulm-diocese-catholic-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-/4415669/

The Diocese of New Ulm announced Friday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The diocese covers 15 counties in south and west-central Minnesota.

According to officials, the Diocese of New Ulm is the 16th diocese or religious order in the United States to file for bankruptcy in recent years.

In Minnesota, both the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis as well as the Diocese of Duluth filed for bankruptcy in 2015. Both cases are still pending.

"The (Diocese of New Ulm) bankruptcy filing does not stop the pursuit of justice for sexual abuse survivors," Attorney Mike Finnegan said in a statement. "Survivors will continue to seek truth and accountability in the bankruptcy process."

Representatives of the diocese say filing for bankruptcy is the fairest way to compensate abuse victims while continuing to operate.

New Ulm Bishop John LeVoir has apologized to victims and abuse survivors and says they are owed just compensation.