Divide Among Attorneys, Victim Groups Over Church Bankruptcy

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Some attorneys and victims groups are reacting differently to a bankruptcy filing by Minnesota's largest Catholic archdiocese.

Mike Finnegan is an attorney for a law firm that repeatedly sued the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese for abuse victims. His firm is now working with it on child protection issues. Finnegan says the filing won't stop scrutiny.

But Patrick Noaker, another attorney for victims, says he's disappointed. He had a case due for trial this month that is now on hold, and said the filing blocks him from revealing information that could keep children safe in the future.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests accused the archdiocese of filing to avoid embarrassing questions in court.

Church leaders say they would have filed a year ago if that was their goal.

RELATED: Archdiocese Of St. Paul & Minneapolis Files For Bankruptcy

Archbishop: Bankruptcy Fairest Way To Help Abuse Victims

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