NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque Journal

By Associated Press
PUBLISHED: Monday, July 13, 2015

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup wants a new mediator in its bankruptcy case after negotiations fell apart last week.

The Gallup Independent reports (http://bit.ly/1jl8YBA) the diocese filed for bankruptcy in November 2013 as lawsuits mounted over claims of clergy sex abuse.

Lawyers for the diocese filed a motion in bankruptcy court following last week’s mediation, calling for a new mediator, while attorneys representing the claimants have filed a motion to remove bankruptcy protections preventing civil lawsuits against the diocese from proceeding.

Phoenix attorney Robert E. Pastor represents 17 of the case’s sex abuse claimants, and filed an amended lawsuit in Coconino County Superior Court that adds a plaintiff.