July 28, 2006

In Spokane, Wash., where the local Roman Catholic diocese has declared bankruptcy under the pressure of sex-abuse lawsuits, a recent ruling by a federal judge deemed individual church parishes "unincorporated associations" that could themselves potentially be sued. Now plaintiffs in the cases are talking about suing the local parishes "and might even explore the legal liability of individual churchgoers". (John Stucke, "Abuse victims may sue parishes", Spokane Spokesman-Review, Jul. 27). More: May 5, etc. (cross-posted from Overlawyered)(& welcome readers of Prof. Bainbridge, who writes, "I hold no brief for the hierarchy's mishandling of the scandal, but it is starting to look like some folks are determined to use the scandal as a weapon to destroy the Catholic Church.")