More Information On Bankruptcy

This is more information on what is happening to dioceses in the United States who filed for bankruptcy.   In Guam, the first ones that will be liquidated will be the parishes.  Why?  Because every village has a parish.  The reason there are parishes in every village was because a long time ago, a vast majority of the people walked.  Today, almost everyone has a car; therefore, it is easier and sensible to liquidate parishes.  Parishioners will simply drive to the nearest parish rather than their village parish. 

The junglefolks have always said that they should fight to save the Church.  So, where are they now? I have said time and time again...that they were the ones out to destroy the Church.  According to article (the bold is mine):

Bankruptcy Judge Rules Spokane Parish Assets Available To Victims

Sun | Local

By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS, Associated Press Writer — Aug 27th, 2005

SPOKANE A federal bankruptcy judge ruled Friday that all the parish churches, parochial schools and other property of the Catholic Diocese of Spokane can be liquidated to pay victims of sexual abuse by priests, a decision that may prompt other dioceses across the nation to avoid filing for Chapter 11 protection.

Spokane Bishop William Skylstad, who had argued that he did not control and could not sell individual parishes to pay victims, said he will appeal.

"We appeal this decision because we have a responsibility, not only to victims, but to the generations of parishioners ... who have given so generously of themselves in order to build up the work of the Catholic Church in Eastern Washington," said Skylstad, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Let me assure everyone that ministry will continue in Eastern Washington," Skylstad said in a statement.

The Spokane Diocese serves about 90,000 Catholics in 13 Eastern Washington counties, from Metaline Falls on the Canadian border to Walla Walla on the Washington-Oregon line. It filed for Chapter 11 protection in December, listing assets of $11.1 million and liabilities of $81.3 million. Most of the liabilities are sexual abuse claims.

Skylstad has repeatedly apologized to victims of past sexual abuse by priests and said he wants to compensate them fairly but he has also insisted the Catholic Church must survive in Eastern Washington and continue its ministry.

David Clohessy of St. Louis Mo., national director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said the decision should make other bishops think twice about trying to protect assets by filing for bankruptcy, as the Spokane, Tucson, Ariz., and Portland, Ore., dioceses have done.

"We applaud this decision and hope it speeds the day when hundreds of deeply wounded and still hurting abuse victims get some relief and healing," Clohessy said, adding he hoped "bishops will act more like caring shepherds and less like cold-hearted CEOs.

"The notion that somehow bishops don't control their parishes is ludicrous," he added.

With many Catholic dioceses across the nation facing lawsuits from victims of sex abuse, this decision was being closely watched.

Lawyers for the Spokane Diocese had argued that the bishop holds in trust legal title to individual parish churches and other Catholic assets, but does not actually control those assets and cannot sell them. They based their claim on church law.

Skylstad contended that only about $10 million in assets directly under his control was available to settle lawsuits brought by 58 victims of sexual abuse.

But attorneys for the victims argued that the bishop actually controls more than 82 parish churches, 16 parochial schools, Catholic cemeteries and other property. Victims contended the diocese's financial assets totaled more than $80 million, and that it should be treated like any other business.