The Moneychangers In The Temple: A Banking Parable

[DeSwiss]

SOURCE: Union-Tribune

Lawyers: No Intention To Misrepresent Finances

By Mark Sauer and Sandi Dolbee
April 11, 2007

An apparent attempt to transfer church funds without a federal judge's permission was called a misunderstanding in declarations filed in bankruptcy court yesterday by attorneys representing the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego.

The lawyers were responding to federal Judge Louise DeCarl Adler's “order to show cause” why they and certain pastors should not be held in contempt and face sanctions.

The diocese sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Feb. 27 in the face of numerous lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by priests in the diocese dating back decades.

At issue is what the judge said was an apparent conspiracy by church officials and their attorneys to create new bank accounts, separate from diocese accounts, without her permission.

Diocese lawyers conceded yesterday that a March 17 letter sent by the Rev. Michael Gallagher to his parishioners at Our Lady of Grace in El Cajon mistakenly said the court had ordered that new bank accounts be established.

They also acknowledged that Susan Boswell of Tucson, the diocese's lead bankruptcy attorney, was unaware that Bishop Robert Brom regularly received bank statements regarding accounts of the diocese's nearly 100 parishes when she told the court otherwise during a March 1 hearing.

But church attorneys and officials insisted there was no intention to misrepresent finances.

more: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070411-9999-1n11diocese.html

*** - Well, I know I'm convinced it was all just a misunderstanding. Because a bishop wouldn't lie. Would he?