The 187 Roman Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will have a greater voice in the church’s bankruptcy proceedings as the result of a court ruling yesterday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported today. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Kressel said that the court will appoint a creditors committee representing parishes that will participate in mediation sessions forging financial settlements and archdiocese reorganization plans. Parishes aren’t adequately represented by the official creditors’ committee, which is composed of five clergy abuse survivors, said Mary Jo Jensen-Carter, an attorney representing 118 parishes. Parishes have significant claims against the archdiocese, including up to $17 million in overpayments to its insurance funds and liabilities from clergy abuse by priests appointed by the archdiocese, she said.
