San Diego Diocese Considering Bankruptcy Filing

The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, California may become the fifth Catholic diocese in the United States to declare bankruptcy in the face of lawsuts over past priest sexual abuse of minors, according to yesterday's San Bernadino Press-Enterprise. In a letter to parishioners distributed Sunday by Bishop Robert Brom, the diocese said that attorneys had been unable to reach a settlement with lawyers for those who claim to have been molested by priests. The letter continued: "Good stewardship demands that settlements not cripple the ability of the church to accomplish its mission and ministries. If this cannot be done through settlement negotiations, the diocese may be forced to file Chapter 11 reorganization in bankruptcy court." A number of the pending suits name the San Bernadino diocese along with that of San Diego. John Manly, an attorney who represents plaintiffs suing both dioceses, says that San Diego's decision may pass more damages off to San Bernadino. He continued: "This is not about money. This is about disclosing information and giving people their day in court."