NEW MEXICO
Gallup Independent

Published in the Gallup Independent, Gallup, N.M., Feb. 4, 2016

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Independent correspondent
religion@gallupindependent.com

ALBUQUERQUE – The Diocese of Gallup’s bankruptcy case is back on track — at least until next week.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David T. Thuma held a continued status hearing Wednesday afternoon after a dispute Tuesday threatened to derail the Gallup Diocese’s plans to file a plan of reorganization. Different representatives from both sides stepped forward to cooperate on a couple initial steps to possibly mend the breach.

On Tuesday, Thuma navigated a legal conflict between Catholic Mutual, the insurer for the diocese, and Michael P. Murphy, the future claims representative who has the responsibility of representing the interests of any clergy sex abuse claimants who might come forward in the future.

David Spector, an attorney for Catholic Mutual, had vehemently objected to allowing Murphy a review of…