Catholic Christian Brothers order files for bankruptcy

[The Northerner]

SEATTLE (Reuters) – The North American branch of the Christian Brothers, a Roman Catholic order that runs schools around the world, has filed for bankruptcy protection amid mounting sexual abuse claims against U.S. and Canadian members.

Although the bankruptcy filing was made in New York, where the brothers' North American chapter is headquartered, the bulk of the abuse claims come from the Seattle area, said Michael Patterson, a lawyer for the Catholic Archdiocese in Seattle.

"It's a sad day. We're very disappointed that it reached this level," Patterson told Reuters on Thursday night.

"We had hoped that we could have partnered with the Christian Brothers to settle claims. What this means is that victims now have to deal with this out of bankruptcy court."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110429/us_nm/us_church_brothers_sexabuse

[Taverner]

1. Were these guys Bill Donohue Catholics or Dorothy Day Catholics?

[patrice]

4. Defending their bank-account? Wondering if Donohue has anything to do with . . .

http://www.tfp.org/index.php

[SpiralHawk]

2. I had those bastards for about 1/2 a year

Back in the 60s they all carried leather straps to USE on transgressors who dared whisper or pass notes or daydream -- A Republicon Family Values Beat-the-Kids-into-Submission kinda sick thingy.

One joyous February day, when one of the Brothers got overenthusiastic and was attempting to beat the crap out of me with his strap for having transgressed (gazing dreamily out a window during class), I defended myself and pushed him away. Automatic & immediate expulsion for me.

Thank Gawd. I guess you could say I pulled myself up and out by his own strap.

[Ken Burch]

3. Were THEY the ones running the parochial school in the film "Heaven Help Us"?

[Taverner]

9. I remember that movie!

It was advertised as a slapstick "Animal House" clone, but the movie itself was period comedy

[Ken Burch]

11. The studio probably thought "period comedy" wouldn't sell

Then again...in some ways "Animal House" itself was a period comedy, and an allegory of how the Fifties turned into the Sixties, but in a country that was about to vote for Reagan they suits must've figured people couldn't handle THAT, so they emphasized the "gross out" parts of the film instead.

[Taverner]

13. True. And yes, I agree "Animal House" was a period comedy

It had gross out humor (nothing wrong with that) but it also told the story of, as you put it, the 50s turned into the 60s

Both good films I love watching when I get the chance

[Ken Burch]

5. So the brandy sales weren't covering the abuse settlements anymore?

n/t.

[dbflah]

6. Christian Brothers...

Sounds like De La Salle HS,in Chicago, where I went for a year.....
Belts, Bibles to the head, kneeling on 3 sided rulers while holding a
stack of books. All good clean fun......
dennis

[JoePhilly]

7. How does a Charitable organization that files no taxes, go bankrupt?

They want the legal protection of bankruptcy, but don't pay the taxes need to fund the courts.

[dbflah]

8. how does a n organization go bankrupt?

Christian Brothers Brandy and Chateau La Salle wine no longer sell!

[Iggo]

10. They about to get sued or somethin'? (n/t)

[Peregrine Took]

12. Did the Irish Christian brothers get merged into them some years ago?

I heard they did this as the reputation of the former was so bad they had to lose the title of their order in order to survive at all.