Spokane Diocese appeals bankruptcy ruling

Published: 2005-09-09

SPOKANE, Wash. (CNS) -- The Spokane Diocese Sept. 6 moved to appeal a bankruptcy court decision that said parishes and schools were part of diocesan property and must be counted as diocesan assets in an attempt to make a financial settlement of sexual abuse claims. The motion requesting an appellate hearing said the court's ruling "would pit the debtor (the diocese) against the true beneficial owners of the disputed property -- the parishes and schools -- in violation of the civil and canonical trust relationship" between the diocese and its parishes. In a letter prepared for distribution in all parishes at weekend Masses Sept. 10-11, Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane said he was appealing the decision because he believes it was incorrect. "The diocese does not own the parishes," he wrote. "They do not belong to me. I can no more sell parishes than I can choose the house or lake cabin of a Catholic parishioner and sell those properties to satisfy claims." He said that the mission of the church in Spokane will continue during the appeals process, which some believe could take as long as 10 years, and afterward.

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