The San Francisco Archdiocese has announced that filing for bankruptcy is "very likely" due to an overwhelming wave of more than 500 lawsuits alleging long-ago child sexual abuse by clergy members, according to an article published by the Mercury News. The situation, which has already seen the Dioceses of Oakland and Santa Rosa file for bankruptcy, is creating shockwaves throughout the Catholic Church in California.
The tidal wave of litigation has been influenced by a 2019 state law that extended the statute of limitations for sexual abuse allegations, making it easier for adults to file claims regarding long-ago abuses. As a result, over 3,000 cases have been filed against Catholic institutions in California.
Financial strains have led several California dioceses to contemplate bankruptcy options in efforts to manage the legal and fiscal burdens. While the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the most populous Catholic diocese in the US, confirmed it is not planning to file for bankruptcy, at least a third of the 12 Roman Catholic dioceses in California have either filed or are considering doing so.
One of the significant consequences of bankruptcy filing by dioceses is the freezing of the discovery phase of lawsuits, potentially hindering further investigation and closure for the victims. However, the Church claims that bankruptcy proceedings could facilitate a faster and fairer resolution for victims, while still allowing the Church to continue its ministry and charitable work in the community.
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of the San Francisco Archdiocese expressed his sadness over the widespread damage caused by these cases, stating, "I am deeply saddened by the sinful acts and the damage caused to the lives of innocent children who put their trust in priests, staff, and volunteers of the church."
(Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone - Getty Images)
Despite the Archbishop's sentiment, victim advocacy groups such as the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), have criticized the bankruptcy announcement, calling it a tactic to limit payouts and avoid further disclosures that could invite additional claims. SNAP is now preparing a letter to Attorney General Rob Bonta, requesting a report based on information gathered from California dioceses’ sexual abuse lawsuits and related court proceedings, in the hopes of finding a more transparent and accountable solution.
The recent tidal wave of lawsuits can be accredited to the California Legislature, which in 2003 allowed a one-year window for victims to bring forth previously barred child sex abuse claims. During this time, the San Francisco Archdiocese paid $68 million to settle around 100 claims through property sales and insurance.
The current onslaught of litigation under the 2019 law serves as a stark indicator of the breadth and severity of ongoing sexual abuse allegations within the Church, leaving dioceses to re-evaluate their financial and operational strategies. As this crisis unfolds, the impact on the future of individual dioceses and the broader Catholic Church in California remains uncertain.
