Judge approves diocesan bankruptcy plan; bishop to apologize to victims

January 26, 2010

As the Diocese of Fairbanks emerges from bankruptcy, Bishop Donald Kettler has agreed to meet personally with, and offer apologies to, any of the nearly 300 abuse victims who wish to meet with him. Under the terms of a settlement, the bishop will also offer an apology at every parish where abuse occurred and will post a list of suspected priest abusers on the diocesan web site for the next decade.

The Alaska apostolic vicariate-- raised to the dignity of a diocese in 1962-- was governed by Jesuit ordinaries and bishops from its founding in 1888 until 2000. The diocese has 15,600 Catholics, 46 parishes, and 20 priests. A Los Angeles Times photographer who documented the extent of abuse in the diocese was a finalist for the 2006 Pulitzer Prize.

 

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Further information:

• Bishop of Fairbanks diocese starts reconciliation mission (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)
• Judge approves bankruptcy plan for Fairbanks diocese (KTUU-TV)
• Bankrupt diocese agrees to $10M settlement (CWN, 11/25)
• Missionary's Dark Legacy (Los Angeles Times)
• 2006 Pulitzer finalist (Los Angeles Times)