Alleged victims ask end to appeal

The Catholic Diocese of Spokane should drop its appeal of a bankruptcy court ruling that churches and parochial schools can be sold to pay sexual abuse claims, and instead initiate a series of public meetings to resolve the case, a group of alleged victims said Wednesday.

During a press conference outside the Chancery, they held children’s pictures, sometimes photos of themselves, to underscore the point that as children they were allegedly raped and molested by priests. As adults, they now deserve healing and financial help putting their lives back together, said Barbara Blaine, president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP).

Spokane Bishop William Skylstad “is not doing the right thing for these people,” Blaine said, who made a trip from her home in Chicago to Spokane. “Drop the appeal and begin the healing,” she said.

The bankruptcy case has pitted alleged sexual abuse victims against the diocese, with the stakes growing higher as the bankruptcy continues.

Though both sides talk of settlement, negotiations have stumbled. And now, with U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Patricia Williams ruling that parish property belongs to the diocese and thus may be included as a financial holding to pay claims, Catholic churches nationwide have a stake in the appeal.

In the appeal filed in U.S. District Court in Spokane Tuesday, the diocese contends that it does not own the parishes and other Catholic properties across Eastern Washington. The Association of Parishes also appealed the judge’s decision.

Little case law has been established regarding this issue and appeals were anticipated.