NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque Journal
By Olivier Uyttebrouck / Journal Staff Writer
Monday, March 7th, 2016
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An attorney who filed 13 lawsuits against the Diocese of Gallup on behalf of alleged victims of clerical sexual abuse said the disclosure of church records will be an essential part of any settlement in the diocese’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
Robert Pastor, a Phoenix attorney, said claimants and their attorneys in the case are adamant that the diocese must release church records, including the personnel files of accused priests.
Attorneys working toward a settlement told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David Thuma of Albuquerque last week that they intend to file a reorganization plan with the court later this month.
“Exposure of these facts is critical to why we bring these cases,” said Pastor, who filed suits against the diocese from 2010-13.
“We are not going to settle unless those files are exposed,” he said. “There may be a delay in exposure, but those files are coming out. They must.”
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