SPOKANE (WA)
The News Tribune
NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS; The Associated Press
Published: March 16th, 2006 01:00 AM
SPOKANE – The parishes of the Catholic Diocese of Spokane do not want to help pay for a $45.7 million settlement offer made by Bishop William Skylstad to 75 victims of sexual abuse by priests, an attorney said Wednesday.
The 82 parishes were expected to shoulder a hefty portion of the settlement costs, but instead will ask U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Patricia Williams to reject the settlement offer, said Bob Hailey, an attorney and spokesman for the parishes.
“This settlement doesn’t provide a mechanism for parishes to protect their churches and schools,” Hailey said.
Skylstad, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops, was not available for comment.