After bankruptcy filing, Twin Cities Catholics reflect

Two days after the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis filed for bankruptcy protection, Twin Cities Catholics attended Sunday Masses, many wondering what happens next.

Hundreds of people streamed in to fill the pews for the 11 a.m. service at the Church of the Assumption in downtown St. Paul.

Among them was Melissa Corbo, 46, a lifelong Catholic. She said the bankruptcy won't change how she gives or whether she attends mass.

"Hopefully it won't affect church closings and things like that, because that's sad," she said. "But hopefully they'll get through it and keep going."

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis filed for bankruptcy protection on Friday, a step taken, church leaders said, out of concerns about the costs of current and possible future clergy abuse lawsuits.

The filing gives the archdiocese time to reorganize its finances. It may have to sell off assets to pay debts. But the archdiocese has said that the nearly 200 Twin Cities parishes, as well as community foundations, chartiies and other Catholic organizations would be protected in bankruptcy.

Raymond Gorski, who regularly attends Mass at the Church of St. Casimir in St. Paul, says the situation is a result of failure by archdiocesan leadership to address abuse as soon as they knew about it. Most importatnly, he said, it would've saved some victims from abuse.

"If they would've done what they were supposed to do, this would not be an issue," he said. "They would've gotten rid of some of the priests, but more so, the church wouldn't be filing bankruptcy."

Gorski said he's afraid that parishes could be targeted through the bankruptcy process. He's also concerned about where the money he's giving will go.

"When I give to the church, I want to make sure that the money to go to further the work of the church," he said. "I don't want my money going to legal fees and to pay off for settlements."

At another Sunday Mass in St. Paul's Frogtown neighborhood, hundreds packed into the 102-year-old Church of St. Agnes.

Parishioner Jennifer Scott of South St. Paul said bankruptcy is the best move for the archdiocese.

"I think its sad, but i think its the best way to take care of the victims," she said.

Scott said she's not worried about St. Agnes. A letter in the church bulletin asked for prayers for everyone affected by the decision, but said the parish and the connected school should be protected.

"As long a we're taking care of our church and school, the people that use it, there shouldn't be any fear — and there isn't," she said. "We've been financially stable for a long time, and anytime there is a problem here, St. Agnes parents and parishioners rally together and take care of it."

Outside the church, Jim and Gail Nolan, who travel to Mass each Sunday from Hastings, say they trust the leadership of the archdiocese and believe they're taking the best path forward.

"I am confident they will recover from the bankruptcy proceeding," Gail Nolan said. "We have trust in the priests and the people who are in charge. I have no fear here. I feel very confident and secure."

The next hearing in the bankruptcy case is Tuesday.