BishopAccountability.org
	Key Hearing Postponed in San Diego Diocesan Bankruptcy Catholic World News September 6, 2007 http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=53362 San Diego, Sep. 6, 2007 (CWNews.com) - The federal judge handling the bankruptcy case of the San Diego, California diocese has postponed a key ruling until next week, giving diocesan officials more time to reach a settlement with the victims of priestly sexual abuse. Judge Louise DeCarl Adler has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, September 6, during which she said she would weigh the argument for dismissing the bankruptcy case filed by the San Diego diocese in February. But the judge has announced postponement of that hearing until Tuesday, September 11. Lawyers for the diocese are meeting behind closed doors with their counterparts representing abuse victims, for mediated talks aimed at reaching an overall settlement of the victims' claims. Although those talks are shrouded in secrecy, there are rumors that the two sides may be moving closer to an agreement. Earlier this year the diocese proposed a total payment of $95 million to be divided among about 150 plaintiffs. Lawyers for the victims rejected that offer, noting that it was significantly lower than the damages awarded to victims in other California cases. The victims are asking for nearly $200 million. Judge Adler, who has been sharply critical of the San Diego diocese in its handling of the case, has prodded diocesan officials to reach a settlement with the plaintiffs. In August the judge indicated that she would consider dismissing the bankruptcy petition by the diocese, suggesting that she was not persuaded that diocesan officials were making an earnest effort to reach an agreement acceptable to the plaintiffs.
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