A Roman Catholic archdiocese in the US is to declare bankruptcy because it cannot meet the cost of claims by people allegedly abused by its priests. The Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, will be the first in the US to do so. (BBC)
The action will suspend the start of a civil trial of a priest accused of molesting more than 50 boys.
Other US Roman Catholic dioceses are also facing bankruptcy, or have had to sell property, to meet the cost of abuse claims brought against priests.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy - the legal term for the action taken by the Portland Archdiocese - gives an organisation freedom from legal action by creditors while it reorganises, but cedes some control over finances to the courts.
The plaintiff Jim Devereau isn't happy about the bankruptcy:
I think this is just another corrupt tactic of the Roman Catholic Church archdiocese of Portland
Personally I'm as allways shocked when I hear stories like this. But that a church is being forced to declare itself bankrupt is beyond me. This makes me wonder about the system of punitive damages. And the fact that focus is taken away from the victims and placed on money is just another proof that the system is not entirely right. The society should punish the perpetrators - and punish them hard. But is the archdiocese a perp?
I must stress that I feel for the victims of this - and similar - cases. It's the system that I think may have to be adjusted.
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