San Francisco Catholic Archdiocese Seeks Bankruptcy Protection Amidst Sex Abuse Lawsuits

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to address over 500 lawsuits related to child sexual abuse. The archdiocese claims that bankruptcy is the best solution for compensating survivors, as it lacks the financial means and practical ability to litigate each case individually. However, victim advocates argue that this move denies justice and transparency for survivors and allows the archdiocese to keep its secrets and wealth. The bankruptcy filing would freeze legal actions against the archdiocese while it restructures its finances, but it would not affect the independently managed parishes and schools. This follows similar bankruptcy filings by other dioceses in California and across the United States.