Bishop says court ruling should spur mediation in sex abuse cases

Published: 2006-06-16

SPOKANE, Wash. (CNS) -- Spokane Bishop William S. Skylstad said a federal judge's ruling that parishes in the diocese are not owned by the bishop should spur mediation efforts to settle clergy child sex abuse claims. The June 15 decision by U.S. District Judge Justin Quackenbush overturned U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Patricia Williams' ruling that the bishop owned parish assets and they could be sold to pay claims against the diocese by people who say they were abused as minors by priests. "Today's decision by Judge Quackenbush helps foster an atmosphere in which healing and reconciliation can continue to take place," said Bishop Skylstad in a June 15 statement. Both Quackenbush and Williams "have now strongly backed mediation," the bishop said. "We look forward to the mediation scheduled for this summer, as the parties come together in a spirit of cooperation, working toward a speedy resolution," said Bishop Skylstad, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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