The Diocese of Helena, Montana has formally filed for federal
bankruptcy protection, becoming the 11th American diocese to take that
step in the wake of the sex-abuse scandal.
In seeking protection under Chapter 11 of federal bankruptcy law, the
diocese listed $33.6 million in liabilities against only $16 million in
assets.
The diocese did not list the properties held by parishes,
schools, and other Catholic institutions in the diocese that are
separately incorporated, but said that the total financial value of
those assets would approach $33 million.