Nfld. Catholic diocese seeks bankruptcy protection

Corner brook, Newfoundland -

A Roman Catholic diocese in Newfoundland is filing for bankruptcy protection, saying the move is necessary in order to give sexual abuse victims the best possible compensation package.

The St. George's diocese, based in Corner Brook and taking in the westernmost third of the island of Newfoundland, announced its action late Tuesday.

Bishop Douglas Crosby said the diocese does not have the $50 million in compensation that the 36 victims of Father Kevin Bennett are seeking, and bankruptcy protection will allow the diocese to negotiate a realistic package for the victims.

'It gives us time to work with the victims to put out all of our resources and make sure that everybody knows everything, [that] nothing is hidden, and that we can come up with a compensation package that is accepted by them and satisfactory to the court,' said Crosby."

Read the article at CBC News dated 09 Mar 2005

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