bankruptcy

The Diocese of St. Cloud and survivors of clergy sexual abuse have reached agreement on a framework for a resolution of all clergy sexual abuse claims against the diocese and area parishes.

A U.S. bankruptcy judge gave final approval March 10 to a $34 million settlement agreement between 93 victim-survivors of clergy sexual abuse and the Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota, as well as parishes within the diocese.

Jim Weiskircher told Catholic News Service in an email late Feb. 18 that all local Scout councils and units will continue “business as usual, while monitoring the situation.”

A bankruptcy judge approved a $39.2 million settlement Oct. 21 between the Diocese of Duluth and victims/survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

According to the diocese, $26 million of the settlement funds will come from insurance coverage and $8 million from cash and property contributions from the diocese and parishes.

Bishop Donald Kettler told members of the diocesan Presbyteral Council that more research was needed into the pros and cons of allowing outdoor weddings before he would make a decision about whether to allow them in the Diocese of St. Cloud.

Frank Meuers, the southwest Minnesota director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is one of more than a dozen clergy sexual abuse survivors who talks regularly with Tim O’Malley of the Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Members of the diocesan Presbyteral Council heard reports about the diocese’s pastoral planning process, adult lay education efforts and the diocese’s plan to file for bankruptcy reorganization at their meeting Sept. 18 at the Chancery in St. Cloud.