September 8, 2005
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org
Statement on paying for counseling
The Archdiocese of Portland has provided counseling in the past for many people, but bankruptcy has presented obstacles to continuing our past practice. The Archdiocese is open to exploring ways of continuing its policy. As Mr. Dan Gatti, an attorney for several plaintiffs, stated in his Affidavit filed in Bankruptcy Court, “the Archdiocese rightfully stopped making payments for counseling services as a result of needing the Court’s permission to expend monies for various services.”
The Archdiocese has filed papers in the Bankruptcy Court supporting the request for court permission to continue payments for counseling, which we did before bankruptcy. The Archdiocese believes that court approval is necessary. The court has scheduled a hearing on this issue for Monday, September 19th at 9:00 a.m.
The Archdiocese of Portland sought the protection of the bankruptcy court because in July 2004 two plaintiffs alone wanted $155,000,000, without regard to whether funds would remain to compensate other deserving claimants. Archbishop Vlazny has stated, “One of the primary reasons we declared bankruptcy was to ensure that people with legitimate legal claims against the Archdiocese could be fairly compensated.” At the same time the Archdiocese must continue its mission and ministries. We need to continue to proclaim the Gospel, serve the poor, the needy, and the vulnerable and to educate children.
The Archdiocese is committed to the protection of children and continues its efforts to make safe for children the schools and parishes within the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese will continue its religious and charitable missions, while it attempts to develop a plan to reasonably compensate all valid claimants through the bankruptcy process. We will continue our prayers for survivors of child abuse and also for our Archdiocese that we will be able to bring these proceedings to a fair and just conclusion.
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