Home To A World Famous Zoo, Sea World, Balboa Park, Perfect Weather, And Another (Morally) Bankrupt Catholic Diocese
San Diego, California... my hometown
Even though I was raised all over the world due to my father being a career Navy man, and I now live back East, I've always considered San Diego my hometown. And for the first time ever in my life, I'm embarrassed to say that.
You see, the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, under the leadership of Bishop Robert Brom, is striving to join the diocese of Tucson, Spokane, Portland, Ore., and Davenport, Iowa in declaring bankruptcy. Is the diocese broke? Hardly.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune;
Facing claims that could exceed $200 million, the diocese may choose this route rather than go to trial in about 150 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by priests.
According to attorney Irwin Zalkin, who represents many of the 150 San Diego plaintiffs said the diocese has more than ample assets and insurance to settle the clergy-abuse claims and characterized bankruptcy as “a desperate maneuver.”
“San Diego is one of the richest dioceses in the country,” Zalkin said. “It has more than $600 million in real estate assets based solely on tax assessors' values and not market value.” The real estate holdings include not only churches, schools, rectories and diocese offices, but also investment property, such as apartment buildings, condominium complexes, commercial developments and undeveloped land.
In addition, Zalkin said, the diocese is part of the Catholic Mutual Group, a pool of 125 dioceses in North America whose Web site states: “Our coverage is backed by recognized financial organizations with assets in excess of $75 billion.”
And another interesting tid-bit... Facing claims that could exceed $200 million, the diocese may choose this route rather than go to trial in about 150 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by priests.
Ahhh... in other words, the identity of the accused "priests" will be safe and... ummm... what's the word I'm looking for.... oh, that's right, protected.
It's beyond me how a weasel the likes of Robert Brom could ever rise to the Episcopacy of The Catholic Church. But then again, the Dallas Morning News has some interesting news on His Sexcellency concerning the cover-up and protection (and actual participation) in predatory sexcapades that the majority of American bishops have been involved with.
One final interesting stat about the Diocese of San Diego; there's one priest for every 3,555 Catholics. By the way... there's no "Crisis in Vocations" in San Diego, is there? This must be that "Springtime of The Church" that the Vatican II-istas have been crowing about for 40 years. Ya think?
San Diego, California... my hometown
Even though I was raised all over the world due to my father being a career Navy man, and I now live back East, I've always considered San Diego my hometown. And for the first time ever in my life, I'm embarrassed to say that.
You see, the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, under the leadership of Bishop Robert Brom, is striving to join the diocese of Tucson, Spokane, Portland, Ore., and Davenport, Iowa in declaring bankruptcy. Is the diocese broke? Hardly.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune;
Facing claims that could exceed $200 million, the diocese may choose this route rather than go to trial in about 150 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by priests.
According to attorney Irwin Zalkin, who represents many of the 150 San Diego plaintiffs said the diocese has more than ample assets and insurance to settle the clergy-abuse claims and characterized bankruptcy as “a desperate maneuver.”
“San Diego is one of the richest dioceses in the country,” Zalkin said. “It has more than $600 million in real estate assets based solely on tax assessors' values and not market value.” The real estate holdings include not only churches, schools, rectories and diocese offices, but also investment property, such as apartment buildings, condominium complexes, commercial developments and undeveloped land.
In addition, Zalkin said, the diocese is part of the Catholic Mutual Group, a pool of 125 dioceses in North America whose Web site states: “Our coverage is backed by recognized financial organizations with assets in excess of $75 billion.”
And another interesting tid-bit... Facing claims that could exceed $200 million, the diocese may choose this route rather than go to trial in about 150 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by priests.
Ahhh... in other words, the identity of the accused "priests" will be safe and... ummm... what's the word I'm looking for.... oh, that's right, protected.
It's beyond me how a weasel the likes of Robert Brom could ever rise to the Episcopacy of The Catholic Church. But then again, the Dallas Morning News has some interesting news on His Sexcellency concerning the cover-up and protection (and actual participation) in predatory sexcapades that the majority of American bishops have been involved with.
One final interesting stat about the Diocese of San Diego; there's one priest for every 3,555 Catholics. By the way... there's no "Crisis in Vocations" in San Diego, is there? This must be that "Springtime of The Church" that the Vatican II-istas have been crowing about for 40 years. Ya think?
posted by Kevin Whiteman at
1:52 PM
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