NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque Journal

By Olivier Uyttebrouck / Journal Staff Writer
Published: Saturday, May 14th, 2016

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — For more than two years, St. Bonaventure Indian Mission and School in Thoreau has faced the possibility that its properties would be sold to help pay for a costly Chapter 11 bankruptcy brought about by sexual abuse claims against the Diocese of Gallup.

A pending settlement in the 30-month-old case has provided some certainty of short-term survival for the nonprofit, and should allow it to begin drilling a new well this year expected to provide drinking water for up to 5,000 people in the southeast corner of the Navajo Nation.

“This has been a part of my life the last couple of years, and bringing it to a resolution is very important to all of us,” said Chris Halter, executive director of St. Bonaventure Indian Mission and School.

But…