BishopAccountability.org
	Abuse Claim Deadline Set in Davenport Diocese Des Moines Register [Davenport IA] March 18, 2007 http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070318/NEWS10/703180352/-1/LIFE04 A federal bankruptcy judge set a July 16 deadline for people to file claims of sexual abuse by priests against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport. The diocese, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last fall, is selling some of its property to settle the claims. As part of the bankruptcy case, Judge Lee Jackwig of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Iowa on Wednesday also ordered the church to issue several public notices about the deadline and the process for filing a claim. A previous date for filing claims was set in February and was extended at the request of the diocese and a creditors' committee to provide more time to find others who claim they were sexually abused. According to Jackwig, the July date is the final date. The order states that anyone who misses the deadline will be barred from making a claim against the diocese in the case. The claim forms are for those who allege they were abused before the diocese filed bankruptcy Oct. 10. The notice says the diocese has been receiving complaints of abuse since 1989 that extend back to the 1940s. "I think it's the best we can do to try to get the victims to come forward," said Craig Levien, a Davenport attorney who represents about 55 people who have alleged abuse by the diocese's priests. Diocese spokesman Deacon David Montgomery said he could not talk about the case.
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