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	Attorneys in Archdiocese Bankruptcy Seek to Lift Stay on Pending Civil Cases By Annysa Johnson Milwaukee Journal Sentinel May 23, 2011 http://www.jsonline.com/features/religion/122468819.html Attorneys for victim-creditors in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's bankruptcy have asked the court to lift the stay on pending civil cases so they can depose aging witnesses, including retired bishops and accused priests. Victims are seeking to depose retired Archbishop Rembert Weakland; retired Auxiliary Bishop Richard Sklba; former Assistant Chancellor Father Joseph Janicki; and seven restricted or laicized priests who appear on the archdiocese's online list of priests with credible accusations of sex abuse against them. They say the bankruptcy has brought forward new allegations and that depositions are needed to preserve testimony in the event of a witness' death or incapacity. The victims also plan to ask the state court to lower the age for deposing witnesses in cases that had been stalled for procedural reasons from 75 to 70. The archdiocese issued a statement saying it "is supportive of things that continue to move the Chapter 11 reorganization process forward." But a spokeswoman declined to elaborate, saying "our full response to the motion will be filed with the court by the appropriate deadline."
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