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Jesuit Order Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy In Oregon

By Howard M. Friedman

The Society of Jesus, Oregon Province , has become the first major religious order to file for federal bankruptcy reorganization, according to a report in today's Fairbanks (AK) Daily News-Miner. The filing was primarily in response to some 200 additional claims of sexual abuse of children-- mainly from Alaska-- against the Order. Over 200 other claims have previously been settled. The bankruptcy petition was filed Tuesday in Portland, Oregon federal Bankruptcy Court. Rev. Patrick J. Lee, Oregon Province Jesuits provincial, said: "It is the only way we believe that all claimants can be offered a fair financial settlement within the limited resources of the province." However David Clohessy, national director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, called the filing "a morally irresponsible and selfish decision designed solely to protect the reputations of complicit church officials." Some 235 Oregon Province Jesuits serve five Northwestern states. (See prior related posting.)

Full post as published by Religion Clause on February 18, 2009 (boomark / email).