Diocese braces for a public accounting

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By Quad-City Times | Thursday, October 12, 2006 12:54 AM CDT | () comments

1 pectoral cross, silver w/ chain and diamond Page after page, the Davenport Diocese dispassionately itemizes its holdings in the most public and painful accounting of the church’s sex scandal. Before God and everyone, the assets of this revered community institution are laid bare in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition filed this week in federal court.

1 episcopal ring, amethyst

1 episcopal ring, Council Vatican II

1 pectoral cross, silver plate w/ chain

1 pectoral cross, amethyst

1 1985 Chevy 1 ton truck and snow plow

1 1989 Chevy Corsica

1 2000 Ford Taurus

Next comes the day-to-day expenses of operating a church:

$979 for seminarian books

$3,238 electric bill

$600 in scholarships for two Vietnamese students

The 88-page document divulges payments to individual church campaigns, Internet bills, diocese Visa credit card payments and much, much more.

The Chapter 11 bankruptcy by the Davenport Diocese turns this 40-year private scandal into an extremely public display of accountability. As tough as it is to read, the disclosure finally sheds light in a place too long relegated to darkness. The filing was necessary to help the 2006 Catholic Church in Davenport finally address the failings of the 1960s, 1970s and even 1980s Church in Davenport.

Too little, too late?

Perhaps, for those dozens of victims of clergy sexual abuse who have come forward, and dozens and dozens more who have not. But in interview after interview, plaintiff victims say they weren’t seeking a big payday, only a full disclosure and assurances it could never happen again.

The bankruptcy disclosure is just as important for the strong Quad-City Catholic community that represents the diocese’ future. Now, those who best represent the church can learn exactly what the diocese owns, how it raises money and how it spends.

Secret, insulated decision making brought the diocese to this point. The bankruptcy seems to offer the disclosure sought by the plaintiffs and the accountability necessary to allow faithful diocese Catholics to lift the diocese from this dark period.

Online

Read the Davenport Diocese bankruptcy petition at www.qctimes.com/opinion.