Sioux City Journal

Soens lawsuit put on hold

Posted: Friday, October 27, 2006

Pending lawsuits filed against the Diocese of Davenport by victims of sexual abuse by priests will be put on hold while the diocese goes through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a judge and attorneys say.

District Judge Charles H. Pelton and attorneys representing the victims and former Bishop Lawrence Soens of the Sioux City Diocese agreed at a hearing last Friday that it would be pointless to proceed to trial. The case victim Michael Gould filed against the diocese and Soens was set for trial last Monday.

"It doesn't make sense to us to present this case twice," said Patrick Noaker, one of Gould's attorneys, referring to the possibility of one trial involving Soens and a later trial for the diocese.

Pelton said that none of the cases against the diocese can go to trial with the bankruptcy pending. He asked the attorneys to prepare a motion to continue or stay the cases until a later date. A ruling will be made by today, he said.

Soens and his attorney, Tim Bottaro of Sioux City, met with Gould and his attorneys last Friday to discuss a possible settlement, but no agreement was reached. Pelton has instructed the parties to continue discussions.

Dustin Lemmon can be contacted at (563) 383-2493 or dlemmon@qctimes.com

Story Comments

Mark wrote on Oct 27, 2006 10:13 PM:

" I am not saying the congregation should pay personally but, rather, the mother church. Maybe because I have yet to see where a church finds out about the abuse, turns the perpetrator in, and tries to rectify the situation in accord with the law. They send the offender in for "counseling," deem him fit for service again, and send him somewhere else, where he reoffends. The church is then aiding and abetting after the fact, no? "

James wrote on Oct 27, 2006 4:12 PM:

" Why is the Church liable for an individual's actions? Perhaps some of these people were molested by priests. If so that is reprehensible. If not, I couldn't think of an easier way to come into some money. "

Nick wrote on Oct 27, 2006 9:57 AM:

" Do you really feel the rest of the church should suffer twice. Not only are the church members suffering from the abuse but you really think that they should sell off the things that they use to worship to pay for the wrongdoings of the priest. I think people should be held accountable however, the rest of the congregation should not have to suffer as well. This in turn only hurts the people already suffering from the neglect. "

Mark wrote on Oct 27, 2006 7:48 AM:

" It just seems to me that the diocese declaring bankruptcy to avoid payment of a possible civil award for damages isn't a very honest or ethical move. Doesn't "the church" mean all the way up to the Pope in Rome? I'm pretty sure they still have some money hiding somewhere, what with all the valuable paintings, golden chalices, etc., and various holdings throughout the world. Bankruptcy should not stop victims from collecting from "the church" as well as the predator. "