The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid mounting claims of clergy sexual abuse. This decision, made public on Tuesday, comes after the diocese faced 153 allegations of abuse, a situation that church leaders say threatens its financial stability.
Bishop Joseph V. Brennan stated that this move is intended to ensure fair treatment for victims while maintaining the diocese’s operations. He emphasized the need to address the pain experienced by survivors of abuse. However, this announcement has drawn criticism from victims and their advocates, who accuse the church of using bankruptcy as a tactic to delay accountability and evade justice.
The diocese announced its bankruptcy filing over a year after it first indicated plans to seek relief in U.S. bankruptcy court. Church officials are scheduled to appear in front of Judge René Lastreto II in Fresno on Monday for a hearing related to the case.
Victims’ attorneys, like Jeff Anderson, argue that forcing survivors into bankruptcy court only prolongs their suffering and denies them the justice they seek. Anderson, who has represented victims across multiple dioceses in California, criticized the church’s actions, stating that the process allows the diocese to avoid full accountability for the claims against it.
In May 2024, the diocese acknowledged the surge in sexual abuse claims, which followed the enactment of California’s Assembly Bill 218 in January 2020. This law allowed a three-year window for victims to file civil suits that had previously expired due to the statute of limitations. The deadline for filing claims under this law closed on December 31, 2022.
Attorney Jennifer Stein, representing several victims, highlighted the lasting trauma that abuse survivors endure, stating that many are left scarred for life. She expressed concern that bankruptcy proceedings would shift the focus away from the victims’ stories to the church’s financial matters, potentially dragging out the process for years.
The Fresno diocese serves over one million Catholics across 87 parishes and 21 schools in several counties. In 2021, it released a list of 63 clergy and laypeople accused of sexual misconduct, some dating back to 1906. While the diocese has not accepted responsibility for all 153 claims, it has indicated that a fund will be set up for survivors as part of the bankruptcy process.
As the church prepares for its next steps in court, some legal experts suggest that the delay in filing for bankruptcy may have been a strategy to weaken the claims against it, allowing time for survivors to lose hope or reduce their expectations for justice.
The diocese has reassured the public that its schools and charities will not be affected by the bankruptcy filing, although it admitted that its assets may not be enough to cover all claims. Additionally, the church confirmed that it is not receiving financial support from the Vatican during this process.
As the situation unfolds, many are left hoping for a resolution that provides justice for survivors while allowing the diocese to continue its mission within the community.