Alexandria's Tale of Two Markets: Housing Hype vs. Diocesan Distress
Alexandria's Shifting Sands
Alexandria, Louisiana, presents a fascinating dichotomy right now: a housing market showing surprising resilience, and a Catholic diocese facing potential financial ruin due to a surge in clergy abuse claims. It’s a study in contrasts, and the numbers tell the story.
On the housing front, data from Bright MLS indicates a 6.1% jump in home showings compared to last year. That’s 625 showings in a single week (ending November 2nd), outpacing the broader D.C. area's 3.6% increase. Lisa Sturtevant, Bright MLS’s chief economist, attributes this to "pent-up demand," fueled by lower mortgage rates and increased negotiating room. We're also seeing a rise in price reductions, with 10.5% of listed homes in Alexandria seeing a price cut. That's up 2.4 percentage points year-over-year. What's driving this localized surge? Is it purely economic, or is there a demographic shift we're not seeing in the broader regional data?
Meanwhile, the Diocese of Alexandria has filed for bankruptcy, citing 85 clergy sexual abuse claims. They expect this number to rise. Bishop Robert W. Marshall, Jr., has publicly apologized, acknowledging that "some priests sexually abused minors." The diocese lists $16.7 million in assets against $9.5 million in liabilities, with another $4 million earmarked for victim compensation. However, Julien Lamothe, a lawyer representing plaintiffs, points out that the diocese is "poor" and may not have the resources for a protracted legal battle, unlike the Archdiocese of New Orleans, where a similar settlement took over five years and racked up $50 million in attorney's fees. 85 clergy sexual abuse claims push Alexandria, La., Diocese to file bankruptcy
The diocese, designated a "Mission Diocese," serves 36,000 Catholics across 13 parishes encompassing over 11,000 square miles. The bankruptcy, crucially, "only applies only to the diocese itself" because the parish churches and other facilities are separately incorporated.
The Weight of the Past
The diocese has identified over 30 former priests and deacons credibly accused of abuse, with claims dating back to 1945 and extending into the 2000s. One particularly disturbing case involves Fr. Leo Van Hoorn, who was shuffled between parishes despite diocesan leaders knowing he was a "serial rapist and abuser of young boys" in the 1960s. The lawsuits are now coming to a head because Louisiana extended a "lookback" measure from 2021, giving victims until June 14, 2027, to file lawsuits. This retroactive window is clearly impacting the diocese's financial stability.
I've looked at hundreds of these bankruptcy filings, and the sheer volume of cases, combined with the historical cover-ups, paints a grim picture. How will the diocese balance its financial obligations to abuse survivors with its ongoing pastoral duties to its dwindling congregation? Can it even afford to continue operating its schools, hospital, and retreat center?
On a brighter note (relatively speaking), Alexandria's high school football team is making waves. Alexandria High, seeded second in the north bracket, is set to face Spring Lake Park in the Class 5A state football quarterfinals. The Cardinals, boasting a 9-1 record, are coming off a dominant section championship victory, throttling Bemidji 49-21. Quarterback Talan Witt had a record-setting night, combining for five touchdowns. They average 40.4 points per game on offense. Spring Lake Park, however, allows just 11.5 points per game defensively. It's a classic offense-vs-defense matchup.
A Town Divided by Trends
So, what’s the connection between these seemingly disparate events? On the surface, very little. But dig a little deeper, and you see a town grappling with both growth and decay. The housing market is buoyant, driven by external economic forces (lower interest rates, etc.). The diocese, however, is sinking under the weight of past sins and legal liabilities. The football team is a symbol of local pride and achievement, a welcome distraction from the more troubling realities.
It's almost as if Alexandria is experiencing two different realities simultaneously. One is forward-looking, optimistic, and driven by market forces. The other is backward-looking, burdened by historical injustices, and facing an uncertain future. Which Alexandria will ultimately prevail?
Smoke and Mirrors?
It's easy to get caught up in the positive housing data, but I wonder if it tells the whole story. Are these "opportunistic" buyers genuinely investing in Alexandria's long-term prospects, or are they simply capitalizing on short-term market fluctuations? And what will happen to the housing market if the diocese's bankruptcy proceedings drag on, further eroding public trust and confidence in the community?
A House of Cards
The seemingly positive housing market data is a fragile veneer over a community grappling with deep-seated problems. The diocese's bankruptcy isn't just a financial crisis; it's a moral one that could have far-reaching consequences for Alexandria's future.
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