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  Church Abuse Talks to Begin
Attorneys for Both Sides in Molestation Dispute Will Meet for Mediation in 33 Civil Lawsuits

By Jennifer Garza
Sacramento Bee [Sacramento CA]
March 14, 2005

Lawyers for the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento and attorneys representing 33 people who've claimed clergy sexual abuse begin court-ordered mediation today.

Citing a significant gap in insurance coverage, diocesan officials say some of the money to pay for the settlements might have to come from other programs.

"We're facing potentially serious financial challenges, and the money is going to have to come from somewhere," said Jim Sweeney, counsel for the diocese.

Sweeney said most of the claims stem from events that allegedly occurred more than 30 years ago and that diocesan officials have had to reconstruct insurance coverage that is decades old.

They have been unable to identify all of the insurance in effect at that time, and one of the insurance carriers has gone bankrupt.

"As a result, we have a big lapse in coverage," Sweeney said.

Attorney Joseph George, who represents the plaintiffs suing the diocese, is suspicious of the diocese's claims of financial difficulty.

"I think this is a public relations move before the talks," said George.

After three years of legal proceedings, the two sides will begin mediation in an effort to resolve the 33 civil cases facing the Sacramento Diocese.

Richard K. Park, a retired Sacramento Superior Court judge, will preside over the mediation.

A letter from Bishop William K. Weigand to Sacramento parishioners was distributed at Masses throughout the diocese over the weekend. The Sacramento Diocese has 500,000 members and stretches from Vacaville to the Oregon border.

In his message, Weigand says he will do everything he can to balance the needs of the victims and his responsibilities as bishop.

Officials have said that, in part, they may no longer be able to subsidize some financially struggling Catholic schools in the diocese because of potentially large settlement costs.

"The fact remains that the resolution of these lawsuits may have an impact upon critical diocesan ministries, including services at parishes, schools and other locations throughout the diocese," Weigand's letter reads.

Across the country, settlements have cost dioceses millions. The Archdiocese of Chicago agreed to pay $12 million.

In Boston, church officials settled for $85 million.

The Orange County Diocese reached a record $100 million settlement with 90 victims.

Some dioceses, such as Tucson, Ariz., and Portland, Ore., have declared bankruptcy in the wake of settlements.

No one can predict how these settlements will influence what happens in Sacramento.

George would not disclose the amount he will seek on behalf of his clients.

"All I can say is it will be substantial," he said. He added that plaintiffs should not be used as "scapegoats" for diocesan financial problems.

"I'm a Catholic ... I have no interest in endangering any ministries of the diocese," he said.

"It is our belief the cases can be resolved in a way that results in some measure of justice for both sides."

Sweeney said it's "ridiculous" to think of diocesan officials using the alleged victims as scapegoats. He said the bishop is speaking openly about the settlements because he has an obligation to keep parishioners informed.

"He is doing his job of communicating to the Catholic community," said Sweeney.

Sixteen of the Sacramento cases involve Mario Blanco, a priest who served in the diocese in the early 1970s. Blanco is now working in Tacoma, Wash., as a "traditionalist" priest who does not recognize papal authority or post-Vatican II teachings.

He is not associated with any diocese.

If the Sacramento Diocese follows the pattern of other dioceses, some of the cases may be settled over the next few weeks while others head to trial.

A June 27 court date has been set.

If the cases are settled, one group says parishioners should be involved in the decision-making process.

"We want a bigger voice on where the money is coming from for the settlements and what the effect on parishioners will be," said Ed Gleason, director of Voice of the Faithful, a laity group with members throughout Northern California.

Diocesan officials say it is too soon to predict what ministries, if any, would be affected.

The money is expected to come from both insurance and diocesan assets, Weigand wrote in an e-mail.

"Diocesan ministries may, indeed, be affected, but the truth is, we cannot predict the impact of any settlement."

Both sides are optimistic about mediation.

"We'll see what happens (this) week," said Sweeney. "I think both sides are showing up in good faith."

 
 

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