September 06, 2005

Tucson Catholic parishes to become independent corporations

TUCSON (AZ)
KOLD

TUCSON, Ariz. Plans are being made to incorporate the 74 parishes that make up the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson.

The move to form independent nonprofit corporations by April would be nearly certain to protect them from being sold off to pay diocesan debt.

Tucson Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas said he doesn't expect the incorporations will have any effect on parishioners.

At least seven other U-S dioceses have already made their parishes separate, corporate entities.

The Tucson diocese filed for bankruptcy reorganization last year in the face of potentially expensive lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of children by priests.

Posted by kshaw at September 6, 2005 12:08 PM