So why is the Archdiocese of Portland facing bankruptcy while Boston avoided that fate? Part of the reason may be that Boston settled for a total of about $100 million, while Portland is facing at least $340 million in claims and possibly more. And they’ve already paid out $53 million.
That $340 million is for 60 people. I fully support the idea that victims should receive something for their pain and suffering and to help them recover, but what possible reason could justify $5.6 million each? Oh yeah, the lawyers say they don’t expect that much. Even so, the threat of that is what is driving the Church into bankruptcy. And who are they hurting? Not the priests or bishops who caused their pain, but the people in the pews, the people whose parishes will be closed, who will no longer receive health care when the clinics and hospitals close, the children whose schools will close, the poor who won’t be fed or clothed. What we’re seeing is the effect of rage andanger, not justice. Even advocates for victims understand that this has gone too far.
The bankruptcy filing by the archdiocese came just before the beginning of a civil trial in Portland in which two plaintiffs sought more than $160 million. ow that the priest was acting as a priest and had secured the trust of the victims. Evidently, you don’t even have to show that the archbishop was aware of the abuse.
