San Francisco Archdiocese says bankruptcy ‘very likely’ given child sex abuse lawsuits
San Francisco Archdiocese says bankruptcy likely due to suits Los Angeles Times
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The Archdiocese of San Francisco Considers Filing for Bankruptcy Amidst Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
The Archdiocese of San Francisco is considering filing for bankruptcy to address a significant number of lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse by its priests, employees, and volunteers over several decades, according to Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone.
Background
In an open letter released on Friday, Archbishop Cordileone stated that the decision to file for bankruptcy was the result of careful consideration, prayer, and consultations with legal and financial advisors. Between 2020 and 2022, more than 500 civil lawsuits were filed against the Catholic archdiocese due to the temporary lifting of the statute of limitations in California for such allegations against churches and institutions.
Reasons for Filing for Bankruptcy
Archbishop Cordileone explained that filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy would enable the archdiocese to collectively address the numerous cases and reorganize its financial affairs. This approach would allow the archdiocese to continue providing essential ministries and services to the faithful and the communities it serves.
Similar Actions by Other California Dioceses
The Archdiocese of San Francisco would not be the first in California to take such action. Other dioceses in the state, including Oakland, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, and San Diego, have either filed for bankruptcy or considered doing so due to similar allegations.
Impact of Changes in California Law
The change in California law, which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse allegations, resulted in thousands of lawsuits against various organizations, including churches, religious groups, schools, sports organizations, and nonprofits. In May, Los Angeles County officials estimated that they would need to allocate between $1.6 billion and $3 billion to resolve approximately 3,000 allegations of sexual abuse in their foster homes, children shelters, probation camps, and halls.
Previous Settlements and Benefits of Bankruptcy
The Archdiocese of San Francisco previously faced lawsuits during a similar period when the statute of limitations was lifted in 2003. At that time, the archdiocese paid approximately $68 million to settle claims from around 100 accusers. Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy would provide a reorganization framework and temporarily halt individual lawsuits against the archdiocese. It would also allow for the pursuit of a single settlement that could resolve all claims simultaneously.
Response from Victim Advocates
Victim advocates strongly rejected Archbishop Cordileone’s portrayal of the situation. They criticized dioceses filing for bankruptcy as a tactic to create the illusion of financial hardship. The survivors’ network SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) stated that the primary focus of these bankruptcies is to protect secrets and minimize compensation for victims.
Archdiocese’s Perspective
The archdiocese countered these claims, stating that filing for bankruptcy was not an attempt to reduce expenses but rather to ensure fairness for all accusers. The cost of litigating over 500 cases separately would exceed the archdiocese’s resources. Without bankruptcy protections, claimants who filed their lawsuits first could have an unfair advantage over those whose cases are heard later.
Addressing Past Troubles and Ongoing Challenges
Archbishop Cordileone emphasized that the majority of the alleged abuse occurred in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s and involved priests who are deceased or no longer in ministry. He highlighted the archdiocese’s efforts to implement stringent screening processes and enhance awareness and education to prevent future occurrences of abuse within the Church.
However, victim advocates disputed this perspective, asserting that abuse within the Church remains an ongoing problem, with abusers still being protected. They criticized Archbishop Cordileone for his refusal to release the names of accused priests, employees, and volunteers in the San Francisco archdiocese.
Bankruptcy as a Viable Solution
The archdiocese mentioned that numerous U.S. dioceses have successfully emerged from bankruptcy and continued their ministries and community support. However, Archbishop Cordileone did not provide a specific timeline for making a final decision on filing for bankruptcy, stating that the situation remains fluid.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
- SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of civil lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse filed against the Catholic archdiocese
- Amount of financial resources allocated to resolve allegations of sexual abuse
- Number of allegations of sexual abuse in foster homes, children shelters, and probation camps and halls
- Amount of settlement paid by the archdiocese to settle claims from accusers
- Number of lawsuits filed against the archdiocese during bankruptcy proceedings
- Time frame for resolving the claims and emerging from bankruptcy
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | – Number of civil lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse filed against the Catholic archdiocese – Amount of financial resources allocated to resolve allegations of sexual abuse – Number of allegations of sexual abuse in foster homes, children shelters, and probation camps and halls |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | – Number of civil lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse filed against the Catholic archdiocese – Amount of financial resources allocated to resolve allegations of sexual abuse – Number of allegations of sexual abuse in foster homes, children shelters, and probation camps and halls |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs | – Number of civil lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse filed against the Catholic archdiocese – Amount of financial resources allocated to resolve allegations of sexual abuse – Number of allegations of sexual abuse in foster homes, children shelters, and probation camps and halls |
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Source: latimes.com
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