SPOKANE (WA)
KXLY
Spokane Bishop William Skylstad says he will appeal a bankruptcy judge's decision that he controls all the parish churches and Catholic schools in the Spokane Diocese.
Skylstad said he has an obligation to generations of parishioners to protect the assets they have built.
A judge in Spokane Friday ruled that all the parish churches and other assets of the Spokane Diocese are available to be sold to raise money for victims of sexual abuse by priests.
Advocates for victims hailed the decision.
David Clohessy, national director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, says the decision should make other bishops think twice about trying to protect assets by filing for bankruptcy.
With many Catholic dioceses across the nation facing lawsuits from victims of sex abuse, this decision was being closely watched.