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55 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, September 27, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 10, 2004 Parishes circle the wagons Catholic congregations, including two in Southern Oregon, are joining forces to protect their assets from possible litigation By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Two Roman Catholic parishes in Southern Oregon have joined churches seeking to protect their assets from the aftermath of a bankruptcy filing by the Portland Archdiocese. Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Medford and Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church in Ashland are among 26 parishes taking steps to prevent their property and financial investments from being used to pay claims of more than 60 people allegedly abused by Oregon priests. The churches have joined the Committee of Parishes, which represents about one-fifth of the 124 parishes in the state. The newly formed group has hired two lawyers to help the parishes seek legal standing. The group, which represents parishes large and small across the state, sent letters to every church. Sacred Heart’s priest, the Rev. Liam Cary, said he felt he had no choice but to respond. "We fundamentally have a lot to lose," Cary said. "Take this church office, the land here, the property, the church, if we had to lose that alone. Obviously, if we lose that, we lose the heart of our church." Advertisement Jackson County assessment records show church property belonging to the Archdiocese valued at $96,540 in Medford and $584,850 in Ashland. Sacred Heart’s actual properties likely are worth much more, although Cary said he didn’t know the value. He estimated the parishioners contribute about $800,000 a year in weekly collections alone. Those donations, along with others given through the years, represent good-faith gestures on the part of church members, Cary said. Although victims of proven abuse should be cared for and compensated, Cary said he fears that huge settlements will unfairly penalize local members. "It’s to ensure that people who’ve given assets to the church in trust, that it not all be wiped away," he said. John H. Rickman, retired president of U.S. Bank and a longtime member of St. Pius X Parish in suburban Cedar Mill, said parishes simply want to ensure that assets can still be used for the mission work of the church. The committee expects to add more parishes before it files with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, probably by early October. The Rev. Joseph Betschart, priest at Ashland’s Our Lady of the Mountain, did not return calls about his reasons for joining the committee. The Archdiocese of Portland filed for bankruptcy protection in July, the first diocese in the nation to do so because of pending clergy sex-abuse claims. A key issue in the case is whether Archbishop John G. Vlazny has access to parish assets to pay abuse claims. Vlazny assured parishes he has no such access and would not seek it. Lawyers for the claimants argue that he does and should. Mary Jo Tully, chancellor of the Portland Archdiocese, said that the archbishop understands parish concerns and has no objection to their getting legal counsel. Cary said he had not yet announced the move to parishioners because parties had agreed to keep it quiet. Now that it’s out, Cary said he plans to discuss it publicly. "We have nothing to hide," said Cary, who added that parishioners should be comforted by the church’s advocacy on their behalf. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities