Oregon Public Broadcasting

Reaction to the news that the Oregon Province of the Jesuit order is filing for bankruptcy protection has been swift and condemning.  The Province filed paperwork earlier this week in Portland. 

In a statement, the head of the Province said there were around 200 lawsuits pending or threatened against the organization, and said bankruptcy protection is the only way "all claimants can be offered a fair financial settlement."

Attorney Ken Roosa doesn't believe it.  He has represented about 240 Native Alaskans who say they were sexually abused by Jesuit priests.

When I spoke with Roosa in his Anchorage office Wednesday, he told me he thinks the Province's decision is twofold.