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	Fairbanks Catholic Diocese Moves Closer to Trial By Mary Beth Smetzer Fairbanks News-Miner May 23, 2009 http://newsminer.com/news/2009/may/23/fairbanks-catholic-diocese-moves-closer-trial/ FAIRBANKS — In a pre-trial conference involving the Fairbanks Catholic Diocese and six of its insurance carriers, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Donald MacDonald IV revised and updated deadlines for all parties to get the case ready for trial. Noting that the case has been pending since April 24, 2008, MacDonald described the deadlines contained in the parties’ joint discovery plan as “far too lax.” To expedite the case, MacDonald ordered a revised calendar of deadlines during the next eight months. The purpose of discovery, explained Ronnie Rosenberg, diocesan litigation coordinator, is to narrow and to frame the issues for the court to make a decision upon and provide an open flow of information. There also is the possibility of a settlement between the parties involved being made during the discovery process. The diocese declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2008 after failing to settle with almost 300 claimants alleging sexual abuse by clergy. A year later, a reorganization plan was filed with the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court on April 2. The plan includes mortgaging or selling church properties, fundraising and appeals to build a fund to pay claimants.
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