Diocese of Davenport prepares for Bankruptcy

If the Davenport Catholic Diocese files for bankruptcy protection this week - which officials have said they will do if they don't win a delay in a child sexual-abuse lawsuit - the claims of more than three dozen men who say priests abused them will be frozen.

The diocese has asked for a four-month delay in the first abuse lawsuit, which is set for trial Nov. 1. Bishop William Franklin said he would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Friday if the delay wasn't granted. The bankruptcy case would be only the third such filing by a U.S. Catholic diocese.

Franklin said the diocese was contemplating major downsizing, including dismissal of many of his "dedicated staff" and the sale of the St. Vincent's Center.

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