As clergy abuse suits near trial, archdiocese weighs financial options

MINNESOTA
Minnesota Public Radio

[with audio]

Madeleine Baran Jan 8, 2015

Three clergy sex abuse lawsuits against the Twin Cities archdiocese are headed for trial later this month amid uncertainty about whether the archdiocese will file for bankruptcy.

All three trials are scheduled to begin Jan. 26 in Ramsey County District Court. However, a bankruptcy filing would likely halt the trials, and many victims would likely instead file claims as creditors.

One of the men suing the archdiocese said he’s not persuaded by claims that church leaders have put measures in place to prevent other kids from being abused. The man, who asked to be identified only by his first name John, said the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis needs to be held accountable by a jury.

“They can run but they can’t hide,” said John, who sued the archdiocese for allegedly failing to protect him from abuse by the Rev. Thomas Stitts. “Some point, some time, some day, some way, they’re going to have to face this. Whether it’s through a trial, or it’s through a bankruptcy proceeding.”

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