More Vermont Catholic Diocese Properties Face Liens

A judge has put liens on four church-owned rest homes and part of the Vermont Roman Catholic diocese’s investments in order to cover jury awards in two priest sex abuse cases.

The two cases resulted in $12.3 million damage awards following separate trials last year. To assure payment, liens were placed on the diocese’s headquarters in Burlington, but a drop in the value of church property has led to new liens on other property.

The Burlington Free Press reports liens have been placed on the St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged in Burlington, rest homes in Derby in Rutland, the now-closed Camp Holy Cross site in Colchester and $1.8 million of the diocese’s $8.5 million financial portfolio.

The diocese is appealing both verdicts.