CALIFORNIA
Manteca Bulletin
By Rose Albano-Risso
City Editor ralbanorisso@mantecabulletin.com 209-249-3536
POSTED December 10, 2013 .
Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of the six-county Catholic Diocese of Stockton announced over the weekend the diocese will likely file for bankruptcy saying there is “no viable option” other than re-organization.
That action may take place “after the first of the year.”
The announcement was made in a letter from the bishop that was distributed to all parishioners in the diocese during all Masses Sunday and during the anticipated Masses on Saturday.
Since his last letter to all the faithful a few months ago, the bishop stated that the diocese has looked into all possible and available alternatives to filing for bankruptcy.
“However, no viable option has emerged other than re-organizing financially under the protection of Bankruptcy Court. Moving in this direction will enable us to continue to meet our obligations to the victims of sexual abuse, to the poor and vulnerable, and to you our people,” the bishop stated in his letter.
A footnote in his letter clarified that the use of the term “the Diocese” refers to “The Roman Catholic Bishop of Stockton, a corporation sole.” That statement means the diocesan “parishes and organizations are not subjects of the possible bankruptcy filing,” he stated, but also added, “Still they need to be prepared in case they are challenged, as has happened in other dioceses.”
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