Roman Catholic Charities of California filed for bankruptcy this week to secure “just financial compensation” for nearly 100 lawsuits related to sexual abuse allegations dating back a decade.
A Franciscan order in California filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on New Year's Eve following a change in state law that allows victims to override the statute of limitations. The Oakland-based organization announced Tuesday.
“California's Franciscan Sisters filed for bankruptcy to deal with 94 child sex abuse lawsuits filed as a result of a state law that allowed abuse victims to sue decades ago.'' “We have filed Chapter 11, which otherwise would have been barred or expired under the state statute of limitations,” the statement read.
“All allegations are based on alleged abuse that occurred at least 27 years ago, with some allegations dating back to the 1940s,” the article added.
The group says only six of the monks named in the complaints, nearly all of which were filed in California, are still alive.
The surviving monks “have been permanently excluded from all official and ministerial settings for a long time and live under strict third-party supervision,” the order claimed.
“The care of abuse victims is our primary concern and has always been at the core of our response,” Fr. said David Garr, OFM, Provincial Minister of the Franciscan Friars.
“As a result of the state's recent suspension of statutes of limitations, we have been overwhelmed by the number of lawsuits filed, both in terms of human cost and in terms of our ability to fairly compensate all abuse victims.” He continued. He concluded that “the only viable path to ensuring fair, equitable, and compassionate compensation for all victims of abuse is through Chapter 11 bankruptcy.”
Bankruptcy not only takes into account the monks' assets, Garr explained, but also eliminates the need for abuse victims to fight for the earliest or larger claims.
As of the Dec. 31 filing, each organization had assets between $1 million and $10 million, and between $10 million and $50 million.
California is one of several states that have passed legislation allowing victims of sexual abuse to sue in cases that would otherwise have run out of statute of limitations. Catholic News Agency points out.
The new law will also eliminate the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse starting in 2024. KEYT reported last fall.
The Diocese of Santa Rosa, the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and the Diocese of Oakland all filed similar Chapter 11 lawsuits in 2023. Bloomberg News points out.
The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento also announced plans to file for bankruptcy protection by March, the paper added.
“I am deeply saddened by the sinful acts committed and the harm caused to the abuse victims (then children) who placed their trust in the monks. No apology, no financial compensation. Although no damage can be undone, perhaps abuse victims find some comfort in knowing that we acknowledge their pain and that they are important to us. “Yes,” Gar said.
Founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209, the Franciscan Order is known for helping the poor and sick.
In particular, the Franciscan Friars of California provide clothing, feeding, and addiction counseling through the St. Anthony Foundation in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood.
A spokesperson told Reuters that St. Anthony House and the group's other operations across California and Arizona will not be affected by the bankruptcy filing.
with post wire
