Diocese, lawyers fail to reach deal

A three-day mediation between the Catholic Diocese of Spokane and lawyers for abuse victims ended late Wednesday with no resolution, but the talks will continue in Nevada later, according to the diocese.

“I am extremely grateful for the hard work invested by so many people in this process,” Bishop William Skylstad said in a news release. “It is the result of months of effort on the part of victims, pastors, attorneys and other individuals.”

In July, the two sides met in Nevada, led by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Gregory Zive of Reno. The diocese did not say when the next round of talks will begin.

If a deal can be mediated, it would settle the church’s sex abuse crisis and bankruptcy proceeding. An attorney representing people sexually abused by Catholic priests said earlier this month that the church could settle for $60 million.

If mediation fails, the diocese could face renewed lawsuits that were temporarily suspended on the eve of trial, and the prospect of victims suing individual parishes and even parishioners – particularly those in church leadership roles.

Liberty Lake

Goldmark hosting event at park

Democratic congressional candidate Peter Goldmark will be greeting the public tonight before the weekly outdoor movie at Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake.

From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Goldmark will host a campaign event with live music in the park. He is running against Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris for the 5th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Later “The Basket” will be shown as part of the movie program sponsored by Friends of Pavillion Park.