April 28, 2011 in News, Nation/World

Catholic religious order files for bankruptcy

Associated Press
 
Tags:abusebankruptcyCatholic ChurchChristian Brothers

SEATTLE (AP) — The Christian Brothers, a Catholic religious order that runs schools in Seattle and across the country, has filed for bankruptcy. It is the second Catholic order in the United States to do so because of sexual abuse claims.

The Seattle Times reports the order did not say how many abuse claims are pending against it, but victims’ attorneys estimate there are more than 50 claims.

In the U.S., most of the cases stem from abuse claims at the now-defunct Briscoe Memorial School near Kent.

Several cases also involve Edward Courtney, a former brother who taught at Seattle’s O’Dea High School.

The order filed for Chapter 11 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York.

The bankruptcy filing is not expected to affect O’Dea High financially. Archdiocese spokesman Greg Magnoni says the school is owned by the Seattle Archdiocese, which hires the Christian Brothers to run it.

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Three comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • Jimmy on April 28 at 6:43 p.m.

    More and more claims. This is what happens when you have un-Biblical religious rules imposed on men - they have sexual issues. It’s time for the Catholic church to reform.

  • Diana on April 28 at 7:05 p.m.

    Hey, everybody, more good news from the Catholic Church.

    Just kidding.

  • lowtechmaster on April 28 at 8:49 p.m.

    All bankruptcy does is allow the “Church” to keep its assets, which are considerable. Until the “Church” has to give up its MEGAHOLDINGS (the Roman Catholic Church is the world’s biggest landowner) no real reform is possible!!

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