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Abuse Victims Want Diocese to Settle Sex Abuse Cases 10 News [San Diego CA] February 28, 2007 http://www.10news.com/news/11139292/detail.html A support group for victims of sexual abuse by priests Wednesday called on San Diego Bishop Robert H. Brom to attend a scheduled settlement hearing on a sexual abuse case even though the diocese filed for bankruptcy. Brom should "show by his physical presence that he wants these issues resolved," said David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. Facing more than 150 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by clergy that could cost more than $200 million to settle, the diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Tuesday night. A brief electronic filing submitted late Tuesday night claims the diocese has assets of more than $100 million and debts of more than $100 million. The filing came after several days of unsuccessful settlement talks in a Los Angeles courtroom. "We put money on the table that would have stretched our financial capability to the limit, but demands were made which exceeded the financial resources of both the diocese and our insurance carrier," Brom said in a statement. "We have decided against litigating our cases because of the length of time the process could take and, more importantly, because early trial judgments in favor of some victims could so deplete diocesan and insurance resources that there would be nothing left for other victims," he said. Bankruptcy is the "best way available for us to compensate all of the victims as fairly and equitably as our resources will allow," he said. The first trial had been scheduled to begin today, but was postponed. The settlement hearing referred to by SNAP leaders is scheduled for Friday. SNAP also wants the bishop to hold open meetings to discuss the decision to file for bankruptcy. "Brom claims he's concerned about church assets, but SNAP and others are convinced he wants to avoid embarrassing files and damaging testimony about his role in horrific clergy sex crimes and cover-ups," SNAP said in a statement. Speaking to reporters in front of the St. Joseph's Cathedral downtown, Clohessy said the diocese's decision to seek Chapter 11 protection "will only delay the truth coming out." SNAP wants the names of church officials who protected priests and covered up abuse claims made public, said Clohessy, a St. Louis man who claims he was abused by a priest when he was a child. San Diego SNAP director Paul Livingston told reporters the bishop is taking a "my way or the highway" stand. Brom could have sought financial alternatives, including seeking loans from banks or church sources, taking donations from parishioners or asking for gradual settlement payments, but did not, Livingston said. In a statement Tuesday, Mary Grant, SNAP's western regional director, called the bankruptcy decision "morally bankrupt." Brom said the decision to file for bankruptcy reorganization is not a "cop-out," but a "sincere effort to face up to our responsibility." He also pledged to release the names of the accused. "At the same time, we will be disclosing the names of those accused, about whom there is certitude regarding their abuse, as well as the extent of their abuse, and we will verify that no known abuser is functioning in ministry," the bishop said. Four other Catholic dioceses in the United States have sought bankruptcy protection as a result of sexual abuse claims. Previous Stories: |
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