Deadline Set in Diocese Abuse Suits

The Record
May 15, 2014

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140515/A_NEWS/405150319

In the midst of bankruptcy, the Diocese of Stockton has announced a deadline to file civil claims for potential victims of child sex abuse at the hands of church leaders.

Diocese finances have been drained by continuing court settlements in child sex abuse cases, which have amounted to $32 million over the past two decades.

Stockton's became the 10th diocese in the nation to file for bankruptcy in January as a result of sex abuse lawsuits that in many cases have been filed years after the alleged abuse.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court has ordered that anyone planning to file such a claim must do so by 4 p.m. Aug. 15, the diocese said. The court needs to determine the amount of outstanding claims to distribute the diocese's assets fairly.

Victim advocates from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests responded to the news with disappointment, saying the bankruptcy court date limits people who have been molested.

"It often takes years or decades for child sexual abuse victims to find the strength and courage to come forward and report the horrible crimes they suffered," said David Clohessy, the national director of SNAP. "Putting a deadline on when they can speak up and get help only benefits wrongdoers.

"Still, we hope anyone who is suffering in silence and self-blame will find the courage to come forward and start healing."

About 90 percent of child abuse victims never step forward with any claims, and oftentimes victims repress memories of the traumatic events, said Tim Lennon, a San Francisco-based leader of SNAP. Lennon said he was 41 or 42 years old when he began recalling repressed memories of trauma he suffered when he was 12.

Lennon said he believes bankruptcy is protecting the diocese, but it's reducing its moral and ethical obligation to accept responsibility and "make every sacrifice to help survivors."

Calls to the diocese for public comment were not returned Wednesday.

But in a written announcement made Tuesday, church officials said the diocese is "taking a number of steps to inform potential claimants of the bar date set by the court."

Advertisements are being placed in more than 24 local and regional newspapers, and one will be published in USA Today. Notices have also been mailed to households that are on mailing lists at local Catholic churches and schools.

The court-ordered deadline, or "Sexual Abuse Claim Bar Date," applies to claims of abuse that happened before Jan. 15.

Anyone planning to file a claim must use a "Sexual Abuse Proof of Claim Form," which can be obtained through these avenues:

» The official committee of unsecured creditors on this case, pszjlaw.com/stocktondiocese.html

» Creditor's committee counsel, (888) 570-6217

» Claims administrator, kccllc.net/stockton diocese

» The diocese's bankruptcy law firm, (916) 329-7400

» The diocese Web page, stocktondiocese.org

The bankruptcy court has established earlier deadlines for other types of claims: next Thursday for general claims and July 14 for claims by government entities.