WASHINGTON
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
By Union-Bulletin staff with Associated Press reports
A federal bankruptcy judge has ruled that all the parish churches, parochial schools and other property of the Catholic Diocese of Spokane can be liquidated to pay victims of sexual abuse by priests.
The decision - which includes six parishes in Columbia, Garfield and Walla Walla counties and two Catholic schools in the region - may prompt other dioceses across the nation to avoid filing for Chapter 11 protection.
But Spokane Bishop William Skylstad, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he will appeal the decision announced Friday.
``We appeal this decision because we have a responsibility, not only to victims, but to the generations of parishioners...who have given so generously of themselves in order to build up the work of the Catholic Church in Eastern Washington,' Skylstad said in a prepared statement.
``Let me assure everyone that ministry will continue in Eastern Washington,' he said.