Church's creditors: Parishes, schools, cemeteries, cars could be sold to satisfy claims
Guam's Catholic schools, parishes, shelters, cars, cemeteries and a shelter for battered women could be sold off to help pay more than 200 clergy sex abuse victims and other claims, according to a lawsuit filed by creditors.
The Archdiocese of Agana issued a statement on Tuesday, trying to shield parishes and schools from the ongoing reorganization bankruptcy case. Archbishop Michael Jude Byrnes, in a statement, said parishes and schools are held only in trust by the archdiocese and, in particular, by the archbishop in office at any particular time.
“We believe that the trust relationship is well established by the facts on the ground, and fully supported by the corporation sole statute of the territory of Guam," according to attorney Ford Elsaesser, one of the bankruptcy lawyers for the archdiocese.
School bus to churches
The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors' lawsuit includes lists of Catholic schools, parishes, vehicles and other properties that the creditors believe "should be scheduled as property of the estate."
Read more: https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/local/2019/04/09/creditors-seek-sale-catholic-schools-churches-bankruptcy-case/3408388002/