BishopAccountability.org
	Chapter 11 Seen As Necessary The Daily Times October 20, 2009 http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20091020/OPINION01/910200411 Diocese of Wilmington seeks just compensation for victims News that the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy shocked some Delmarva residents Monday. It's the first Catholic diocese on the East Coast to do so, but not the first in the country. This action -- in Wilimington and in other dioceses -- was a response to 142 claims of priest sexual abuse filed against the diocese by lawyers on behalf of victims of clergy sex abuse stemming from a combination of past offenses and the Delaware Child Victim's Act, which enabled victims to file claims during a two-year period even though the statute of limitations had expired for reporting such abuse. This bankruptcy is intended to preserve the ability of the diocese to fairly compensate all victims --not just those whose claims come to court early in the process. The diocese does not have unlimited resources. With the first trial originally scheduled to begin on Monday, Bishop W. Francis Malooly indicated concern that the first few cases to be tried might limit the ability of the diocese to provide equal compensation to plaintiffs in later trials. The diocese was quick to publicize the names of its accused priests, along with photos and information about their status. In addition, when the scandals began breaking nationwide -- and Delaware's law temporarily suspended the statute of limitations on reporting past abuse -- the late Bishop Michael Saltarelli, Malooly's predecessor, quickly began establishing new procedures in all parishes that were designed to protect childrenand others. These procedures included making sure children were never alone with a priest or other adult staff member, requiring background checks and fingerprint reports on all volunteers and staff and the immediate removal from ministry of any clergy or staff accused of abuse. The Catholic Church made mistakes in the past by moving priests from parish to parish when abuse was reported. Although much -- but not all -- of this abuse involved clergy members who are no longer living, the diocese has sought to provide monetary compensation, counseling and make efforts to heal these wounds. Today, the goal is not to cover up or protect clergy from the consequences of wrongdoing; rather, it is healing for all and protection for the innocent. This is indeed a tragedy, an expensive lesson both in monetary terms and in human suffering. A quick and fair means to compensate all victims will hasten the necessary healing for both victims and church.
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