MILWAUKEE (WI)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Mark G. Doll has been a member of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Finance Council since 2000 and serves as its current chair. He is the retired chief investment officer of Northwestern Mutual.
The plan of reorganization proposed by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in the organization’s Chapter 11 proceedings is the best way to provide care for abuse survivors, while ensuring the archdiocese can continue its spiritual, educational and charitable mission.
The purpose of a Chapter 11 proceeding is not to put the archdiocese out of business but rather to assist in reorganizing its activities and to do what is possible for the claims of its creditors. Not all claims are eligible for compensation, and not all claims are the responsibility of the archdiocese. The archdiocese cannot and should not be responsible for the actions of someone over whom it had no control, nor is it fair to those filing legitimate claims in the proceeding.
Rather, the goal in this case is to financially compensate those with eligible claims as best we can, even though we all know that no amount of money could ever restore what was taken from abuse survivors. At the same time, we must allow the archdiocese to continue its ministry of service and charity. We cannot punish parishes or parishioners who had no part in the abuse.
The plan of reorganization does just what it should. It is fair for abuse survivors because, first and foremost, it provides therapy for as long as they need it and, second, it provides those with eligible claims a financial settlement. The plan is fair for Catholics because it allows the archdiocese to move forward and return its focus to the many good works of the church in this community.
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