By Diane Lindquist
Union-Tribune [San Diego CA]
March 5, 2007
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070305-9999-1m5mass.html
The Catholic Diocese of San Diego's clergy-abuse scandal, which led to the diocese's decision last week to file for bankruptcy protection, troubled many area Catholics attending Mass yesterday.
When prayers were requested at the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala's 10 a.m. Mass, Linda Wagner of San Diego addressed the congregation.
"I raised my hand and said, 'While we're happy to pray for the bishop, we should pray for the victims.' "
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| Orlando Malave of Talmadge held his 3-month-old daughter, Aveneice, yesterday outside Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala. "It's a shame with the sex scandals. It's disturbing. It's disgusting," he said. Photo by ANCEE E. LEWIS/Union-Tribune |
People applauded, Wagner said later.
"I wasn't looking for support. I wanted to express my opinion," she said. "I hope the church will understand we parishioners want the church to rectify the situation."
San Diego's diocese is the largest in the United States to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which would allow a judge to take control of the diocese's finances while considering claims against it.
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| Linda Wagner of San Diego spoke at one Mission Mass. "I hope the church will understand we parishioners want the church to rectify the situation." Photo by NANCEE E.LEWIS/Union-Tribune |
When papers were filed Tuesday, Bishop Robert Brom said the diocese was abandoning efforts to settle about 150 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of children by 60 priests dating back decades. Brom said the demands exceeded the diocese's financial resources.
At San Rafael Parish in Rancho Bernardo, Monsignor Dennis L. Mikulanis said in a message in the church bulletin distributed yesterday that parish properties and parish funds needed for ministry, buildings and the Annual Catholic Appeal funds are protected under the bankruptcy reorganization. Properties not "immediately connected" with the church's mission and ministry, as well as "liquid" assets and investments, are targeted for redistribution, Mikulanis wrote.
"Of course . . . at this writing everyone is waiting to see what happens," he said.
Catholics attending Mass yesterday held a variety of opinions about the filings. Some said they felt the church was trying to avoid responsibility, while others defended the diocese. A few expressed confused emotions. Some weren't aware of the filing and many declined to speak about it on the record.
"There's too much stirring up in the world," Claudia Davies said. "The church will survive, I'm sure."
Many leaving Mass said they were having difficulty sorting through their feelings. Holding his 3-month-old daughter, Aveneice, outside the mission, Orlando Malave said the accusations reflect badly on Catholicism.
"It's a shame with the sex scandals. It's disturbing. It's disgusting. It's heartbreaking," said Malave, a Talmadge resident. "As a Catholic, you want your children to have a relationship with Christ."
Malave said he believes the diocese filed for bankruptcy to avoid making restitution to those who were sexually abused.
"I think they're looking for an escape. For them to declare bankruptcy, it's a cop-out," he said.
José López of San Diego worried that the scandal will hurt individual churches such as St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Chula Vista, where he attended the Spanish-speaking Mass.
"Only God will judge the priests in the end," López said. "But it's hard for churches to get funds anyway, so, obviously, it's going get harder."
A key battle as the bankruptcy wends its way through the court is expected to be how much real estate the church owns and how much it is worth.
Although the diocese holds property, bank accounts and other assets for 98 parishes, 16 missions, 43 elementary schools and three high schools, its lawyers contend it does not "own" them.
San Diegan Mike Massy, who was taking his sons to a workshop at the mission, said the diocese's situation is comparable to that of Arthur Andersen, which was forced to surrender its licenses to practice as certified public accountants for its role in the business scandal involving Texas oil conglomerate Enron.
The diocese, Massy said, "should pay a similar price for that level of corruption."
Outside the mission, Else Terrell said she does not believe the diocese filed for bankruptcy to hide information about the molestation cases.
"I don't think it's a cop-out," said Terrell of North Park. "I think the details will come out regardless of the bankruptcy."
But, Terrell said, the scandal should force the church to re-examine its operations.
"I don't think just money is going to solve the problem. The core problem involves who becomes a priest," she said. "If you don't have the calling, you shouldn't be a priest."
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