SPOKANE (WA)
The Oregonian
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
SPOKANE -- The number of claims of sexual abuse by priests in the Catholic Diocese of Spokane has jumped to at least 176, more than double since the diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection a year ago.
The bankruptcy court imposed a deadline for people to file claims by last Friday, and at least 176 had been received, church lawyers said. They probably will cost many millions of dollars to settle.
Church attorney Greg Arpin of Spokane declined Monday to give the exact number of claims, saying they were being tabulated.