MINNESOTA
Star Tribune
Article by: JEAN HOPFENSPERGER , Star Tribune Updated: January 16, 2015
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Friday, saying it cannot meet its financial obligations from an unprecedented wave of clergy sex abuse lawsuits.
The move freezes lawsuits against the church, protecting the archdiocese from creditors while allowing it to develop a reorganization plan.
“We’re doing the right thing,” the vicar general Rev. Charles Lachowitzer told the Associated Press. “This decision reflects the end of a process of putting victims first.”
Archdiocese officials have said such a move was a financial necessity, as it faced more than 25 lawsuits from people who charge they were sexually abused by priests. Another 100 lawsuits were pending.
But victim’s advocates say it’s one more example of the archdiocese shirking its responsibility to abuse victims.
“Why is it that when all the dioceses file bankruptcy, they do it on the eve of a trial?” asked Bob Schwiderski, longtime advocate for abuse survivors. “Is it because they can’t put their hand on the Bible and swear to tell the truth?”
Schwiderski was referring to three clergy abuse trials slated for Jan. 26, that will now be halted.
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