Diocese of Gallup seeks bankruptcy [View all]

The Diocese of Gallup intends to petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in response to a growing number of lawsuits filed by alleged victims of clerical sex abuse.

Leaders of the diocese described bankruptcy as a way of ensuring justice and fairness for victims of sexual abuse by providing for an orderly distribution of the diocese’s limited resources.

Diocese of Gallup Bishop James Wall said in a letter read to parishioners over the Labor Day weekend that bankruptcy is intended to treat abuse victims “in a just, equitable and more merciful manner” while allowing the diocese to continue its pastoral mission.

“Under Chapter 11, the diocese will have the opportunity to present a plan of reorganization that provides for a fair and equitable way to compensate all those who suffered sexual abuse as children” by priests, the letter said.

More at http://www.abqjournal.com/257330/news/diocese-seeks-bankruptcy.html .