San Diego Roman Catholic Diocese Ponders Bankruptcy with Sex-Abuse Lawsuits Pending

The Los Angeles Times ^ | 2/11/23 | Greg Moran

[marshmallow]

The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is warning it may have to file bankruptcy in the future because of the potential fallout from hundreds of pending lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by clergy over the last 75 years.

The warning comes nearly 15 years to the day since the diocese last sought the sanctuary of the bankruptcy code, filing for Chapter 11 reorganization in the face of 144 claims of sexual abuse by clergy. The bankruptcy was dismissed eight months later, after the diocese reached a settlement with the victims for $198 million.

Now the diocese might have to go down the same path, said Keven Eckery, the communications director for the sprawling diocese of 1.3 million Roman Catholics in San Diego and Imperial counties. On Thursday night at a 90-minute meeting with priests from the 96 diocesan parishes, Cardinal Robert McElroy informed them of the possibility the diocese could again file for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy code.

Lawyers representing accusers criticized the move and said the diocese was trying to avoid or lessen its liability for clergy misconduct, as well as pressure plaintiffs into seeking a settlement.

Irwin Zalkin, who represents about 120 of the 400 plaintiffs who have filed suits in San Diego Superior Court, said the diocese has enough assets to pay settlements. Zalkin represented hundreds of claimants in the 2007 cases and was instrumental in negotiating the final settlement.

He said in an interview that the announcement took him by surprise. Lawyers have been in mediation on the cases for the last two years, he said.

“For them to pull this stunt without warning us, and allowing us to give our clients a warning, is outrageous,” he said.

[AlaskaErik]

Had the same thing happen in Alaska. Church sent up all their pedophile priests as punishment for raping little boys in the Lower 48. Some punishment. It was like letting kids loose in a candy store. They raped their way across Alaska taking advantage of the Alaska Native population in small villages. The damage they did is untold. But it eventually bankrupted the Fairbanks diocese. Couldn’t happen to a better outfit.

[nicollo]

Oh, so this is why McElroy wants to, shall we say, “maximize” the offerings potential of his Church.

[pepsi_junkie]

My short synopsis of the past 100 years of the Catholic Church. The Church was strong and vibrant worldwide. Then Vatican II came where it decided to dumb it all down to be more inclusive. Slowly over time devout Catholics peeled off, vocations plummeted and the Church decided to look the other way regarding gays in the seminary. After all, as long as they don't act on it, right? Fast forward 50 years and the gays took it all over and made the clergy into a sex club filled with perverts and people who protect perverts. Seems there's a lesson in there about wolves in sheep's clothing.

Full disclosure: I'm Catholic and did 12 years of Catholic education and a stint as an altar boy. I struggle deeply with what has become of the Church and how I can continue to count myself a member. And make no mistake, it predates Francis by a lot He's just the culmination of 50 years of spreading corruption inside the church and when he's gone it the corruption will go on.

[Zathras]

Here it comes.
This was the deal Obummer setup with the Pope.
“Promote the gay lifestyle and when you have to start selling property to pay for the lawsuits, we will make it easy to do”