GALLUP (NM)
Gallup Independent
By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
November 11, 2013
[See also Mounting clergy sex abuse legal claims spark Chapter 11 reorganization, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, Gallup Independent, September 3, 2013, with documents.]
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup plans to file a petition for Chapter 11 reorganization in federal bankruptcy court Tuesday, according to an announcement that priests in the diocese were asked to read to parishioners during the Veterans Day weekend.
It was more than two months ago that Bishop James S. Wall asked his priests to break the news of the impending bankruptcy during Masses over the Labor Day weekend.
“In early September I told you that I had made the decision that the only way to equitably and mercifully deal with the mounting sex abuse claims, still meet our commitment to you and continue the outreach mission of the church was to file a Chapter 11 reorganization in the United States Bankruptcy Court,” Wall’s brief and most recent announcement began.
The diocese, which includes much of western New Mexico, northern Arizona and parishes in seven Native American reservations, has announced previously it will file in Albuquerque’s federal bankruptcy court. Wall said the diocese will regularly post information about the progress of the Chapter 11 petition on its website.
[Article includes sidebar listing publicly accused Gallup priests and one brother.]
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