The Portland Archdiocese declared bankruptcy today effectively staying the beginning of an abuse trial against a priest who allegedly molested 50 boys.

In announcing this decision, the Bishop said "The pot of gold is pretty much empty". What a dsigusting phrase. Maybe the Church ought to go into the parishes and remove all the gold and artwork, sell it and make amends to the victims.

I don't want to broadbrush the entire Church -- but this is repulsive. Another indication that this Church doesn't give a crap about the lives they destroyed.

Barf :mad:

Good lawyering will lift the automatic stay of litigation usually imposed by bankruptcy filings - and intentional acts such as those of the pedophilic priests are NOT dischargeable in bankruptcy. In the other hand, the negligence of the Church hierarchy in not disciplining them may be. It'll make for some interesting legal gymnastics.

Good points. Also, most insurance policies have intentional act exclusions. To me the legal issues are secondary. The Church's actions are repulsive legal isues aside.

ME or OR?

Why, no, I haven't heard of Google.

Oregon. I guess the Maine Diocese will follow soon enough -- that is, if there are any Catholics left up there.

Sad to say, the bishops still don't get it.

You're right, mdphl, it is not the whole Church that is at fault, but it sure does seem the leadership is completely incapable of dealing with this scandal in an appropriate manner.

But don't worry, they are still using gays as a scapegoat to deflect criticism, and if my sister and her friends in Mass are any indication, losing parishioners because of it.