New Mexico diocese to sell off properties in online auction

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Archdiocese of Santa Fe will be auctioning nearly 140 parcels of property next month as it seeks to settle a raft of sex abuse claims. Church officials announced Tuesday that an online auction will begin Sept. 21. Opening bids will start as low as $500. The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy reorganization in 2018 to deal with a surge of claims. A U.S. bankruptcy judge ruled last October that lawyers for survivors could file lawsuits alleging that the archdiocese fraudulently transferred millions of dollars in property and other assets to avoid bigger payouts. That decision opened the door to what could result in a massive payout by the archdiocese.