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A bankruptcy filing would put litigation against the archdiocese on hold. It could also help the archdiocese get a better handle on what it will owe alleged victims, which could in turn assuage donors who have yanked support from the church because of the abuse scandal.

This is an interesting scenario ... a test case for other dioceses that find themselves in a similar situation. LA immediately comes to mind.

In a related development, Appearing at a public forum at Albany Law School, Bishop Howard Hubbard replied to pointed criticism from angry Catholics and victims of clergy sexual abuse Tuesday night with repeated apologies and assurances that new church rules have excised pedophiles from the priesthood.

"We have a bishop in charge who has committed fabrications, concealment and payoffs," said Walt Pologa, a retired accountant from Albany.

"We trusted you, you are a man of the cloth. These children who were molested were youngsters who had no one to protect them. I ask you Bishop Hubbard, what do you intend to do to have this be more open?"

On the surface, Hubbard has put on a contrite expression but all reports indicate that victims are still being ignored. FULL TEXT

Oh, you all in Albany have my sympathy.

We lucked out here. Not only have the perverts been kicked out all along and once and for all, but this archbishop is letting lay people help with finances and financially we're in really good shape. And all suits have either been dropped or not gone to trial for lack of evidence.

The poor people in Boston...that it would come to this. And then with LA still sitting - talk about a time bomb. That's going to be a nightmare. Hey maybe we'll luck out and Mahoney will get himself excommunicated.

A bankruptcy makes sense - on the analogy of companies which are beleaguered by asbestos lawsuits.

The analogy works: many companies have thousands and thousands of such asbestos suits against them - but only a fraction of the suits are filed by people who are (a) actually sick and (b) were actually injured by the party they are suing. They're just going after deep pockets. It costs nothing to add one's name to a class action lawsuit, one can add one's name anonymously and the chances of someone being made liable for frivolous or false litigation is minimal.

The Church finds itself in a similar situation - a certain number of people have been grievously injured. However, anyone can just anonymously accuse a priest of abusing them, add their name to a lawsuit and not get in trouble if they're later found out to be lying.

A bankruptcy allows the diocese to evaluate claims and make sure that the people who were actually harmed are compensated, while ferreting out adventurers and lars.

Don't you think that this bankruptcy plea is like waving a red flag for the Bankruptcy Court to go over the books of parishes with a fine tooth comb and make them a matter of public record?

I'm sorry but it's just too pat a response to be a good thing, IMHO, and -- though I can't put it into words as yet -- threatens to radically transform the Person Corporation currently being prosecuted into liable for far more than the actions of its priests/employees.