Stockton Bishop Addresses Sexual Abuse, Diocese Bankruptcy

The Record
June 12, 2013

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130612/A_NEWS/306120316


STOCKTON - The Diocese of Stockton's Bishop Stephen Blaire wrote a letter that was read to congregations over the weekend addressing speculation on the diocese filing for bankruptcy and settlements on sexual abuse lawsuits.

A recent settlement brought the total the diocese has paid in judgments, legal costs and settlements to $15 million over the past 20 years, Blaire said in the letter. And of that, $6 million has been paid in the past three years.

The latest settlement is with a victim of defrocked priest Oliver O'Grady. The victim was 10 or 11 years old in the 1980s when he was molested by O'Grady, according to the letter.

"It is my hope that this settlement helps him continue to heal," Blaire said. "He, and all victims of sexual abuse, must be in our prayers always."

Blaire said that since his arrival to the diocese 14 years ago, he has tried to settle the cases and heal the "wounds" caused to the Church "by the evil of sexual abuse."

Blaire addressed speculation that the diocese will eventually seek bankruptcy. "At this point, no decision has been made about how we will go forward and how we will meet our obligations."

He assured parishioners that whatever decision the diocese makes, it will not impact the solvency or operations of parishes. Parishes are separately incorporated from the diocese.

"The hard work you have done to build and run our parish should not be jeopardized by the actions or inaction of the diocese in decades past," Blaire said.