BishopAccountability.org
	Ten Sex-Abuse Cases on Track Clergy: Selected Cases Go to Trial While Others Are Put on Hold. Associated Press, carried in Anchorage Daily News October 6, 2007 http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/crime/story/9358641p-9272309c.html Fairbanks — Attorneys working with a Superior Court judge have agreed to a schedule to proceed with a slew of clerical sexual abuse cases involving four religious organizations. "My goal is to spend some time with you to see where you are and what you need to get the court in a responsive mode," said Superior Court Judge Niesje Steinkruger on Thursday. By the end of the day, the 135 cases had been trimmed to 10 cases with all parties agreeing to a timeline to proceed. Steinkruger called the clerical sexual abuse cases the most complex litigation within the Alaska Court System next to oil and fisheries negotiations. "This is one of the main important issues facing the Yukon-Delta," she said. The pros and cons of trying only 10 cases and putting the remaining plaintiffs on hold were discussed and agreed upon as long as all plaintiffs consented to the plan. Many of the cases date back to 2003 when the first civil suits were filed against the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Northern Alaska, based in Fairbanks, and the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province and Alaska. Two cases have been filed against the Archdiocese of Anchorage. The two main defendants have settled with some litigants. The Society of Jesus has settled 29 cases and has 104 pending against it. The Fairbanks Catholic Diocese compensated six plaintiffs and has approximately 135 cases outstanding against it. Anchorage attorney Ken Roosa said that three of his clients have died since they filed and that he will advise his remaining clients that trying a smaller cross-section of cases is the fastest way to get resolution. According to the judge, the court's effort to address only some of the many cases filed against a defendant is unprecedented in Alaska.
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