Spokane, Wash., Aug 29, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, Washington has announced that his diocese will appeal a federal court ruling which, on Friday, declared all parishes in the diocese assets which can be liquidated to pay for claims by alleged victims of sexual abuse by priests.
Bishop Skylstad, who also holds the post of president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement released from Eastern Europe, where he is currently traveling, that
"The court's decision has national consequences.”
“Its impact”, he said, “will be felt not just by Catholic communities but by many other church communities of any denomination, of any faith expression."