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	Victims Group Protests on Eve of Bankruptcy Plan Hearing Associated Press, carried on KGW [Portland] April 10, 2007 http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8ODEMBG0.html On the eve of what could be the final hearing for approving a bankruptcy reorganization plan for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland, a victims' rights group protested a gag order by two judges who presided over the settlement leading to the plan. "My main concern is that after these past three years we didn't get the transparency we wanted," said Bill Crane, Oregon director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP. Victims, attorneys and church officials have been prevented from talking about the proposed $75 million settlement contained in the reorganization plan that U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Elizabeth Perris will consider approving on Tuesday. "We need to end the secrecy around these cases that keeps people trapped in guilt, shame and blame," said Mary Grant of Long Beach, Calif., the SNAP Western regional director. U.S. District Judge Michael Hogan and Lane County Circuit Judge Lyle Velure imposed the gag order last year as they worked to mediate a settlement to the first bankruptcy filed by a Catholic diocese in the United States. The Portland archdiocese sought protection from creditors in July 2004 as a pair of cases seeking about $155 million for alleged sexual abuse by priests were about to begin trial in federal court. Dioceses in Spokane, Wash., Tucson, Ariz., Davenport, Iowa, and San Diego have since filed for bankruptcy. The Tucson diocese has emerged from bankruptcy protection while settlements in Portland and Spokane are awaiting court approval.
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