San Francisco Archdiocese Declares Bankruptcy Amidst 500+ Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

The Archdiocese of San Francisco has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to over 500 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse. The archdiocese claims it lacks the financial means to litigate all the claims individually and believes bankruptcy is the best solution for compensating survivors. However, abuse survivor groups doubt the archdiocese's financial situation and criticize the move. The filing comes after the Catholic Diocese of Oakland also filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year. The Catholic Church has faced widespread criticism for its handling of sexual abuse cases, and Pope Francis has emphasized a zero-tolerance policy. The archdiocese plans to develop a reorganization plan based on available assets and insurance coverage.