Painful Fall to Insolvency

The Record
December 5, 2013

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131205/A_OPINION01/312050317/-1/A_OPINION

These are difficult times for the Diocese of Stockton - not just the entity, but the thousands of parishoners, too.

Stating that the diocese is out of options, Bishop Stephen Blaire penned a letter to the quarter million parishoners in six counties that a final decision on bankruptcy could come after the first of the year.

The financial situation is dire. It was preventable.

The Chapter 11 protection is needed because the diocese has been drained financially from settlements for sex-abuse lawsuits involving priests. Through 2010, the diocese had settled 22 cases at a cost of $18.7 million.

There could be more cases pending. "We have no apparent way to meet the expenses of pending lawsuits and possible future claims," the bishop said in an earlier letter.

The bishop's most recent letter stated that "no viable option had emerged other than reorganizing financially under the protection of bankruptcy court."

It's beyond troubling what this could mean to the 35 parishes and 14 missions that make up the Stockton Diocese.

Stockton is hardly alone in this predicament. Dioceses in such places as Portland, Ore., Spokane, Wash., Tucson, Ariz., Milwaukee and elsewhere have filed for bankruptcy protection.

The cause is generally the same in each case. Child abuse litigation has cost the U.S. Catholic Church $3 billion in settlements since a series of cases uncovered abuse in Boston in 1992.

Throughout this ordeal, Bishop Blaire has been a model of caring and compassion. He frequently talks about how "compassion for the victims" is of paramount importance.

He has, frankly, had to clean up a mess foisted upon him by predecessors who enabled the abuse either through neglect or cover up.

Since first mentioning the possibility of bankruptcy this past summer, the bishop has been forthright with area Catholics. His letter on June 17 addressed the "very serious financial situation," and his Sept. 3 letter first mentioned option of bankruptcy.

His Thanksgiving weekend letter makes it appear certain bankruptcy will be the route taken.

"It tells people we have continued to explore financial options - but we have found no viable option," said Sister Terry Davis, director of communications for the diocese. "And minus a miracle ... we will have no other options."

The tens of thousands of Catholics who compose the diocese are an important part of the area's population. They've exhibited faith and strength while the church tries to recover from a dark period.

They were failed by some - but certainly not all - of their leaders.

When children are abused by an adult, especially one in a position of religious leadership and authority, there must be accountability.

And it often comes at a steep price.