Parishes ... Hold on to Your Assets!

By Jennifer Haselberger
Canonical Consultation
February 6, 2015

http://canonicalconsultation.com/blog.html

Pastors of more than 100 parishes in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis received this letter via email today. Interested parties, take note.

Pastors of more than 100 parishes in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis received this letter via email today. Interested parties, take note.

Judge Arthur J. Boylan (ret.)

Mediation Arbitration

310 S. Fourth Ave. Suite 5010

Minneapolis, MN 55415

C: 612-387-5655

Contact: mediatoraspm@gmail.com

February 6, 2015 RE:

Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Bankruptcy

Dear Fathers: As you know, the Archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case on January 16, 2015. Judge Robert J. Kressel, the bankruptcy judge handling the case, has appointed me as Mediator to assist the Archdiocese and its creditors in formulating a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization to resolve the bankruptcy case.

The mediation process is underway and moving rapidly. Participants include the plaintiffs, the Archdiocese and its insurers, and a group of 60 or so parishes (both with notices of claims and without). It is apparent that all the parishes of the Archdiocese have a strong interest in the ultimate resolution of the Archdiocese’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy case, and I am concerned that there are a number of parishes that are not yet participating in the process and do not have representation. The Parish Group that is currently participating in the mediation process is being represented by bankruptcy attorney Mary Jo Jensen-Carter of Buckley & Jensen and insurance coverage attorney Margo Brownell of Maslon, LLP.

Whether you elect to join this group or retain separate counsel, I encourage all of you to seek legal counsel to protect the interests of your parish. If you wish to join the existing group, you may contact Mary Jo Jensen-Carter at 651-486-7475 or maryjo@buckleyandjensen.com for more information. I expect this mediation proceeding to move forward quickly, so I would urge you to obtain representation as soon as possible. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at MediatorASPM@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

s/ Arthur J. Boylan

Judge Arthur J. Boylan