By Brian Krans
Quad-Cities Online [Davenport IA]
October 13, 2006
http://qconline.com/archives/qco/sections.cgi?prcss=display&id=310114
The embattled Diocese of Davenport has a new leader now that the Vatican has accepted the resignation of Bishop William Franklin.
Bishop-elect Martin J. Amos, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, was appointed to head the Davenport diocese as it begins bankruptcy proceedings brought on by numerous lawsuits alleging sexual abuse at the hands of clergy.
When sending his resignation letter in May 2005, Bishop Franklin said his age was the main factor. He had turned 75, the age at which canon law requires bishops offer their resignation. It is then up to the pope to accept the resignation.
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Monsignor Martin J. Amos was named as the new bishop for the Diocese of Davenport Thursday morning at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport. Photo by Terry Herbig |
Bishop Franklin, ordained in 1956, led the diocese through arguably its toughest years. He plans to stay in Davenport, assisting the new bishop with social events and confirmations. He will be offered housing in the diocese.
While wishing the new bishop well, a statement by the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests was critical of the appointment, noting that prosecutors in Cleveland have gathered information on 145 accused priests in that diocese.
"This is far worse than what has been experienced in the Davenport Diocese," the statement said.
Bishop-elect Amos told a group Thursday at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport that he was well aware of the challenges of heading the diocese while addressing such "serious" issues as bankruptcy and clergy abuse.
He will be installed as the eighth bishop of the diocese on Nov. 20 after a return to Cleveland to say his good,byes.
The 65-year-old bishop-elect has held several pastoral and teaching posts in the Diocese of Cleveland since being ordained in 1968. "Pastoring and teaching have always been a part of my life," he said.
At the press conference, reporters were not given a chance to ask questions of Bishop-elect Amos or Bishop Franklin.
Deacon David Montgomery, spokesman for the diocese, said the bankruptcy filing and announcement of Bishop Franklin's replacement were coincidence.
"The timing of the naming of a new bishop is determined solely by the Vatican and they don't share their schedule of appointments," he said via e-mail.
He said it was Pope Benedict XVI's decision to bring Bishop-elect Amos from Cleveland instead of promoting through the ranks. "A person is brought in from outside the diocese more often than promoted inside.
"Bishop Amos is the third person appointed who was already a bishop in another diocese."
The Davenport Diocese is the fourth nationwide to seek bankruptcy protection. The others -- Portland, Ore.; Spokane, Wash.; and Tucson, Ariz. -- also filed because of the financial demands of settling claims of sexual abuse by priests.
Mr. Montgomery said the decision to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy came as another lawsuit against the diocese, set for trial Oct. 23 in Scott County, drew near.
Like dioceses nationwide, Davenport has been hit hard by allegations that its leaders knew, or should have known, about misconduct by priests, yet failed to discipline them appropriately.
Since 2004, the Davenport Diocese has paid more than $10.5 million to resolve dozens of claims filed against priests, including a $9 million settlement reached with 37 victims in the fall of 2004.
Since then, the diocese or former priests under its supervision have been held liable by juries in civil trials.
The Davenport Diocese filed for reorganization under federal Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings Tuesday in federal court. The future of its property and staff, which offers educational services to 105,000 parishioners in 84 parishes in southeast Iowa, is uncertain.
Diocesan staff said this week the diocese was facing a $250,000 shortfall from its $3.6 million operating budget. About 70 percent, or $2.575 million, comes from contributions from parishioners. Among the diocese's options are the sale of its property and reductions in educational programs and staff.
Diocese officials said contributions from parishioners are going to be more important now ever.
Staff writer Brian Krans can be reached at (309) 786-6441, ext. 271.
On the 'Net: An inventory of property owned by the Diocese of Davenport, filed as part of its bankruptcy filing, can be found at Beyond Print at qconline.com/bloggers/beyondprint/
Information on the new bishop:
Monsignor Martin J. Amos, 65, was born in Cleveland, Ohio.
He attended Borromeo Seminary College, Wickliffe, and the St. Mary Seminary in Cleveland. He has a bachelor's degree in classic literature and master's degree in education.
He entered the clergy in May 1968 in Cleveland.
Ohio assignments have included:
--1968-1970: Vice parish priest of St. James Parish, Lakewood
--1970-1973: Vice parish priest of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Sheffield Lake
--1973-1976: Professor, Borromeo Seminary High School
--1976-1983: Academic dean, Borromeo College
--1983-1985: Vice parish priest, St. Dominic's Parish, Shaker Heights
--1985-2001: Parish priest, St. Dominic's Parish.
--2001: Elected auxiliary bishop of Cleveland.
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