Who Owns Parish Propery in Davenport Diocese Could be Pivotal

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The question of who owns property in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport could become a pivotal issue in its bankruptcy case.According to The Cedar Rapids Gazette, attorneys for two dozen people who claim they were sexually abused by priests in the diocese will ask the court to rule that the diocese owns parish property -- even though its 84 parishes operate separately.

If it happens, parish property could be sold to help settle claims.

The diocese's bankruptcy attorney, Richard Davidson, says the parishes are incorporated separately from the diocese and one ordinarily isn't liable for the debts of another.

The diocese filed for Chapter 11 earlier this month -- the fourth diocese in the nation to seek financial protection to deal with priest sex abuse cases. WOI-TV