Judge Perris Decides Bankruptcy is Secular Dispute
On Dec 7th, I wrote Portland Archdiocese Bankruptcy Update in which I outlined the job of Judge Elizabeth Perris was to decide which applies in the bankruptcy case, secular or canon law. Judge Perris has made her decision.
(She) today ruled that Catholic parishes and schools in Western Oregon are not separate from the Archdiocese of Portland.The decision by Judge Elizabeth Perris was largely a victory for plaintiffs who are seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in priest sex-abuse claims.
There is no constitutional requirement that internal church law be considered in determining a purely secular dispute.
The Archdiocese had tried to settle the claims for $53 Million on 130 claims with dozens more frozen pending settlement of bankruptcy issues. This decision would seem to mean that all properties of 124 parishes are now available to settle claims.
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