Bankruptcy Protection in the Abuse Crisis



So far, 24 U.S. Catholic dioceses and religious orders have filed for bankruptcy protection during the ongoing sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic church: 21 dioceses and 3 religious orders, the Oregon Province of the Jesuits and the Congregation of the Christian Brothers, and the Crosier Fathers and Brothers. The latest filing was by the Diocese of Buffalo NY, announced on 2/28/20.

One other diocese, for a total of 25 bankruptcies, has announced intentions to file: the Diocese of Saint Cloud in Minnesota.

On this page we assemble basic information and documents on each of these bankruptcy filings, as well as general information on the process and the issues involved.

Dioceses and Religious Orders That Have Filed for Bankruptcy Protection

Archdiocese of Portland OR (filed 7/6/04)



• Archbishop Utters Bankruptcy, by Shelby Oppel and Ashbel S. Green (6/18/03)

• Letter Announcing Bankruptcy, by Archbishop John G. Vlazny (7/6/04) and PDF copy [includes document]

• Archdiocese of Portland Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, by Ed Langlois (7/7/04)

• Archdiocese of Portland, Ore., Declares Bankruptcy, by Alan Cooperman (7/7/04)

• Archdiocese in Portland Declares Bankruptcy, by Janet I. Tu and Stuart Eskenazi (7/7/04)

• Diocese in Ore. Files for Chap. 11, by Michael Paulson (7/7/04)

• Religious Aspects Complicate Bankruptcy, by Ashbel S. Green (7/8/04)

• Perspectives: Archdiocese of Portland Bankruptcy, interview of Mark Chopko by Bob Abernethy (7/9/04)

• Archdiocese on Uncharted Path, by Jeff Kosseff (7/12/04)

• Statement Alleges Archdiocese Ignored 5 Warnings, by the Associated Press (7/13/04)

• Did the Portland Catholic Archdiocese Declare Bankruptcy to Avoid or Delay Clergy Abuse Suits? by Marci Hamilton (7/13/04)

• Archdiocese of Portland's Bankruptcy Filing Turns Eyes to Vatican, by Janet I. Tu (7/13/04)

• U.S. Archdiocese in Bankruptcy Court Asks Permission to Pay Workers, by Catholic News Agency (7/16/04)

• Bankruptcy Seen As Dioceses' Shelter, by Jeff Kosseff and Jim Barrett (8/2/04)

• Legal Notice to Survivors of Deadline to File Claims, by the Archdiocese of Portland, and the legal document that describes the deadline process (8/18/04) [includes documents]

• Claims in Court Far Outnumber Church Listing, by Ashbel S. Green and Steve Woodward, The Oregonian (11/12/06)

• Key Players, Moments in Priest Sex-Abuse Cases, The Oregonian (4/13/07) with Chronology

• Judge Backs Landmark Priest-Abuse Settlement, by Ashbel S. Green and Steve Woodward, The Oregonian (4/14/07) with Table of Claims

• Creditors File Suits in Portland to Recover $3.1 Million Paid Out before the Jesuits Declared Bankruptcy, by Lynne Terry, Oregonian (2/18/11)





Diocese of Tucson (filed 9/20/04)



• Editorial: Bankruptcy May Be Best for Diocese, by Tucson Citizen (7/8/02)

• 7 Young Men Look to "Our Day in Court," by Stephanie Innes (7/11/04)

• Bishop Kicanas Denies ‘Conspiracy’ in Announcing Possible Bankruptcy, by Catholic News Agency (7/15/04)

• Pope Defrocks Tucson Priests, by Scott Simonson and Tom Beal (8/6/04)

• Diocese Nears Threshold on Bankruptcy, by Stephanie Innes (8/16/04)

• Tucson Bankruptcy Dilemma, by Judy Valente (8/20/04)

• Voluntary Petition, filed by the Diocese of Tucson (9/20/04) [includes document]

• Plan of Reorganization, filed by the Diocese of Tucson (9/20/04) [includes document]

• Disclosure Statement, filed by the Diocese of Tucson (9/20/04) [includes document]

• Letter to Abuse Victims, by Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas (9/20/04)

• Letter to Church Members, by Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas (9/20/04)

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson Files for Bankruptcy over Abuse Cases, by Arthur H. Rotstein (9/20/04)

• Statements Regarding Tucson Diocese Bankruptcy, by David Clohessy and Jim Parker (9/20/04)

• Tucson Diocese Files Bankruptcy Reorganization, by Sheryl Kornman (9/20/04)

• Bankruptcy Timeline, by the Tucson Citizen (9/20/04)

• Timeline of Diocese's Troubles, by the Arizona Daily Star (9/21/04)

• Diocese's Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Is "Prepackaged," by David Wichner (9/21/04)

• Diocese Seeks Bankruptcy Protection, by Michael Clancy (9/21/04)

• Facing Sex Abuse Suits, Tucson Diocese Seeks Bankruptcy Protection, by the Catholic News Service (9/21/04)

• Catholic Diocese of Tucson Files Plan of Bankruptcy Reorganization, by Jack Siegel (9/22/04)

• Diocese of Tucson Files for Bankruptcy, by Business News (9/24/04)

• Tucson Diocese Victims Have 6 Months to File Claim, by Michael Clancy (10/08/04)

• Two Priests Added to List of Diocese Abuse Suspects, by Stephanie Innes, Arizona Daily Star (12/4/04)

• Diocese Abuse Victims Speak As Bankruptcy Case Nears End, by Stephanie Innes, Arizona Daily Star (7/10/05)

• Tucson Diocese Bankruptcy Effectively over a Year Later, by Arthur H. Rotstein, Associated Press (9/18/05)

• Diocese Bankruptcy Cloud Lifting: Sex Abuse Settlements Expected Next Month, by Stephanie Innes, Arizona Daily Star (9/20/05)

• Abuse Victims' Lives to Change: Diocese's Checks Due Next Month, by Stephanie Innes, Arizona Daily Star (9/24/05)

• Judge Tosses 4 Claims for Money from Diocese, Weighs 1, by Stephanie Innes, Arizona Daily Star (10/5/05)

• 5 Molestation Victims May Get $1 Million Each, Yuma Sun (2/11/08)

Diocese of Spokane WA (filed 12/6/04)



• U.S. Bishops Pick Leader from Bankrupt Diocese, by Alan Cooperman, Washington Post (11/16/04)

• Spokane Diocese Files for Bankruptcy, by Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times (12/7/04)

• Court Now Has Control over Diocese Finances: Victims' Advocates Decry Bankruptcy Filing, by John Stucke, Spokesman-Review (12/7/04) with Skylstad's Statement Regarding Authority to Sign and File Petition and List of Creditors Holding 20 Largest Unsecured Claims [includes documents]

• Skylstad Denies Claim of Sex Abuse in 1960s: Woman's Filing Part of Bankruptcy Case, by John Stucke and Virginia De Leon, Spokesman-Review (3/9/06)

• Diocese Files Settlement, by John Stucke and Virginia de Leon, Spokesman Review (1/5/07)

• Schedule 2.83 (Matrix Protocol) to Debtor's Second Amended Plan for Reorganization (3/7/07) [includes document]

• Diocese Issues Payout Plan, by John Stucke, Spokesman Review 3/27/07)

• Deal Allows Secrets to Remain, by John Stucke, Spokesman Review (5/4/07)

• Spokane Diocese Emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Associated Press (6/1/07)

• Parishes Collect $8 Million: Money Goes toward Sex-Abuse Claims, by John Stucke, Spokesman-Review (12/29/07)

• Bishop Cupich’s Ex-Vicar General Critical of Catholic Lawsuit against Paine Hamblen, by Kip Hill, Spokesman-Review (11/12/14)





Diocese of Davenport IA (filed 10/10/06)



• Remarks on the Possibility of Bankruptcy, by Bishop William E. Franklin (9/30/04)

• Iowa Diocese Says It's Near Bankruptcy, by Ryan J. Foley (10/21/04)

• Out of the Shadows, by Ann McGlynn, Quad-City Times (8/6/05) on the Uhde case alleging abuse by Msgr. Thomas Feeney

• Plaintiff's Statement of Disputed Facts in Gould v. Bishop Soens (9/4/06) with document exhibits

• Diocese Must Pay $1.5M to Abuse Victim, by Dustin Lemmon, Quad-City Times (9/19/06)

• Voluntary Petition and Other Documents in the Filing for Bankruptcy Protection (10/10/06) [includes documents]

• Davenport Diocese Files for Bankruptcy, by Thomas Geyer, Quad-City Times (10/11/06)

• Uhde: 'Victims Are Not the Enemy', by Ann McGlynn, Quad-City Times (10/15/06)

• Bankruptcy Enrages Activists: Diocese Is—Once Again—Ignoring Abuse Victims, They Say, by Shirley Ragsdale, Des Moines Register (10/12/06)

• In the Fear of the Father, by Mason Kerns and Margaret Poe, Daily Iowan (5/8/07) on the Soens cases

• Davenport Diocese Reaches $37 Million Settlement with Priest Abuse Victims, Associated Press (12/4/07)

• Diocese to Pay $13.6m Toward Bankruptcy Settlement, by Ann McGlynn, Quad-City Times (12/26/07)

• Diocese of Davenport Bankruptcy Comes to an End, Quad-City Times (6/22/12)

Diocese of San Diego CA (filed 2/27/07)



• Voluntary Petition (2/27/07) and other bankruptcy documents [includes documents]

• On Eve of Trial, San Diego Diocese Files for Bankruptcy Protection, by Michael Fisher, Press-Enterprise (2/27/07)

• Priests Against Whom There Are Credible Allegations, Diocese of San Diego (3/30/07)

• Diocese Names 38 Accused Priests, by Sandi Dolbee and Mark Sauer, Union-Tribune (3/31/07)

• God, Incorporated, by Ron Donoho, San Diego Magazine (6/29/07)

• San Diego Diocese Settles Lawsuit for $200 Million, by Randal C. Archibold, New York Times (9/7/07)

• Judge's Tears, Rebuke Close Case, by Sandi Dolbee and Mark Sauer, Union-Tribune (11/2/07)

• Judge Determines, Seals Abuse Victims' Allocations, by Mark Sauer, Union-Tribune (12/8/07)

• Two Judges Share How They Guided Church Case: Diocese Agreed to Pay $198 Million Settlement, by Sandi Dolbee, Union-Tribune (1/29/08)

• Dan Rather Reports: Spiritually Bankrupt, by Dan Rather (7/30/13)





Diocese of Fairbanks AK (filed 3/1/08)



• Missionary's Dark Legacy, by William Lobdell, Los Angeles Times (11/19/05) with photographs

• Judge: Bishop Liable for Layman's Actions in Sex Abuse Case, by Mary Beth Smetzer, Daily News-Miner (2/2/08)

• Information on Diocesan Plan for Reorganization, Diocese of Fairbanks (2/13/08 through 12/11/08) with links to press releases and other materials

• Fairbanks Diocese Plans to File for Bankruptcy, by Lisa Demer, Anchorage Daily News (2/13/08)

• Alaska Diocese to File for Bankruptcy, by Mary Pemberton, Associated Press (2/13/08)

• Diocese of Fairbanks to File for Bankruptcy, Catholic News Agency (2/15/08)

• Alaska Diocese files for Ch. 11, by Matt Miller, Daily Deal (3/4/08)

• Fairbanks Diocese Copes with Sex-Abuse Crisis, by Libby Casey, National Public Radio (4/21/08)

• Deadline Approaching for Victims of Fairbanks Diocese Abuse, by Jill Burke, KTUU (11/19/08)

• Fairbanks Gets DIP from Diocese, by Mike Schoeck, Daily Deal (12/19/08)

• Number of Sex Abuse Claimants Reaches 288 in Fairbanks Diocese, Catholic Review (12/22/08)

• Claims of Abuse by Priests Double: Allegations Now Total 292 against the Diocese, Associated Press (1/9/09)

• Fairbanks Judge Urges Lawyers to Close Church Abuse Cases, by Mary Beth Smetzer, News-Miner (1/22/09)

• Fairbanks Catholic Diocese Selling Assets under Bankruptcy Plan, by Mary Beth Smetzer, News-Miner (4/2/09)

• Fairbanks Catholic Diocese Asking for Financial Help, by Mary Beth Smetzer, News-Miner (8/19/09)

• Court Ruling Leaves Fairbanks Diocese without Insurance in Abuse Cases, by Mary Beth Smetzer, News-Miner (10/3/09)

• Letter by Bishop Kettler with Links to Documents Relating to the Third Amended Reorganization Plan (12/21/09) [includes documents]

• Diocese Will Pay $9.8 Million to Alaska Abuse Victims: Freed Money Will Go to Victims, Outing of Guilty, by Lisa Demer, Anchorage Daily News (1/25/10)

• Judge Approves Revision of Fairbanks Diocese Bankruptcy Plan, by Mary Beth Smetzer, News-Miner (1/26/10)

• Bishop of Fairbanks Diocese Starts Reconciliation Mission, by Mary Beth Smetzer, News-Miner (1/26/10)

• Judge Approves Bankruptcy Plan for Fairbanks Diocese, KTUU (1/25/10)

• Fairbanks Catholic Diocese Sells Hot Springs As Part of Bankruptcy Plan, by Mary Beth Smetzer, Fairbanks News-Miner (3/6/10)





Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus (filed 2/17/09)



• Local Lawyer Takes on Priest Sex Abuse: Cascade of Alaska Cases Surprises Fairbanks Diocese, by Nicole Tsong, Anchorage Daily News (1/23/05)

• Distant Sex-Abuse Cases Get Local Aid, by Chris Knap and Rachanee Srisavasdi, Orange County Register (2/27/05)

• Sex-Abuse Suits Embroil Jesuits in Northwest, by Ashbel S. Green, The Oregonian (11/14/05)

• Missionary's Dark Legacy, by William Lobdell, Los Angeles Times (11/19/05) with photographs

• Veil of Privilege or Cover-Up? by Jonathan Martin and Peter Lewis, Seattle Times (12/15/05)

• Jesuits Pay for Sins of Abusers, by Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times (10/28/07)

• $50 Million Jesuit Abuse Settlement Aims to Heal: Religious Order's Head Says Church Failed Victims in Alaska, by Lisa Demer, Anchorage Daily News (11/20/07)

• Alaskans Recall Alleged Abuse by Jesuits, Associated Press (11/21/07)

• 43 More Allege Sex Abuse by Catholics: Church Leaders Are Accused of Negligent Supervision, by Lisa Demer, Anchorage Daily News (1/14/09)

• Jesuit Priests Accused of Sex Abuse in Alaska, Associated Press (1/14/09)

• Jesuit Bankruptcy Brings Anxiety to Catholic Institutions, KUOW (2/3/09)

• News Release: Oregon Jesuit Province Files Chapter 11, by Pat Walsh, Ulum Group, for the Society of Jesus (2/17/09) [on the Oregon Province website, this file has the title: "Release (Mock up between Pat Walsh and Tom L, Fri 13 Feb)"]

• Oregon Jesuit Province Files for Bankruptcy, by Mary Beth Smetzer, Fairbanks News-Miner (2/18/09)

• Lawyers Disputing Jesuits' Estimate of Assets, by Bryan Denson and Nancy Haught, The Oregonian (2/18/09)

• Q & A about Chapter 11, from the website of the Oregon Province of the Jesuits (2/18/09)

• Jesuits' Ch. 11 Filing in Ore., by Matt Miller, Daily Deal (2/19/09)

• Property Declaration and other Bankruptcy Documents, from 'Forgotten Children' Share Secret Shame, by Tracy Vedder, KOMO (5/10/09) [includes documents]

• Does Filing Put Jesuit Schools at Risk? by Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times (2/19/09)

• Oregon Province Jesuits File for Bankruptcy, by Tom Roberts, National Catholic Reporter (2/20/09)

• Ash Wednesday Letter, by Very Rev. Patrick J. Lee, S.J., provincial of the Oregon Province of the Jesuits (2/25/09)

• A Message to Our Supporters, by Very Rev. Patrick J. Lee, S.J., provincial of the Oregon Province of the Jesuits (3/2/09)

• 'Forgotten Children' Share Secret Shame, by Tracy Vedder, KOMO (5/10/09)

• Hidden Victims of Sex Abuse Face Deadline, by Dimitra Lavrakas, Tundra Drums (8/27/09)

• 15 Victims of Jesuit Priest Abuse Found on State’s Reservations As Search Continues, by Michael Moore, Missoulian (9/3/09)

• Deadline Nears to Report Jesuit Abuse, Yakima Herald-Republic (10/3/09)

• At Least 100 Montanans File Claims against Jesuits for Abuse, by Michael Moore, Missoulian (1/7/10)

• Jesuit Priest Who Abused Boys Casts Shadow in the Northwest Long after His Death, by Bryan Denson, Oregonian (2/27/10)

• NW Jesuits to pay $166 million to sexual abuse victims, by Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times (3/25/11)

• The Silence, by Mark Trahant, Frontline, PBS (4/19/11)

Diocese of Wilmington DE and MD (announced 10/18/09)

• In re: Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, Inc.: Case Administration Website, by The Garden City Group, Inc., on behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington [includes documents]

• DeLuca, Diocese Accused of Destroying or Hiding Evidence, by James Merriweather, News Journal (10/15/09)

• Catholic Diocese of Wilmington Inc. Files for Chapter 11 Reorganization, letter by Bishop W. Francis Malooly, Diocese of Wilmington (10/18/09)

• Catholic Diocese of Wilmington Files Bankruptcy, by Brian Witte, Associated Press (10/18/09)

• Wilmington Diocese Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy: Filing Freezes Sex-Abuse Cases Hours before Scheduled Trial, by Maureen Milford, News Journal (10/19/09)

• Bankruptcy Filing Halts Sexual Abuse Trial, by Matthew Hay Brown, Baltimore Sun (10/20/09)

• Victims Target Parish Assets, by Maureen Milford, News Journal (10/22/09)

• Diocese's Struggles Surpass Bankruptcy, by Beth Miller, News Journal (10/25/09)

• Diocese Neglected Letters of Apology, by Beth Miller, News Journal (10/28/09)

• Wilmington Diocese Judge to Ponder How Far Stay Extends, by Matt Miller, Daily Deal (10/30/09)

• Judge Denies Request for Del. Bishop's Appearance, by Randall Chase, philly.com (11/2/09)

• Judge Lays Ground Rules for Diocese Bankruptcy, by Beth Miller, News Journal (11/3/09)

• Bankruptcy Trustee in Del. Holds Private Meeting, Associated Press (11/4/09)

• Committee to Represent Plaintiffs in Diocese Suits, by Beth Miller, News Journal (11/6/09)

• Notice of Appointment of Committee of Unsecured Creditors (11/5/09)

• Deal Puts off Abuse Cases against Parishes, by Beth Miller, News Journal (11/6/09)

• Delaware Catholic Diocese Must Face Bankruptcy Trial, by Steven Church, Bloomberg (1/12/10)

• Delaware Courts: Wilmington Diocese, Victims Close to Mediation, by Maureen Milford, News Journal (3/26/10)

• Court Rules Delaware Priest Cases May Go Forward, News Journal (6/5/10)

• Clergy Abuse in Delaware: "Horrific" Rape Allegations Surface in Diocese Case, by Esteban Parra, News Journal (8/7/10)

• Defrocked Priest, Parish Ordered to Pay in Sex Abuse Case, by Sean O’Sullivan, News Journal (12/1/10)

• $30 Million Is Awarded over Abuse by Priest, by Laurie Goodstein, New York Times (12/2/10)

• Diocese of Wilmington Parishes with Publicly Accused Priests, posted by BishopAccountability.org (12/30/10)

• Clergy Abuse in Delaware: Diocese Says Victims Will Be Paid More, by Sean O'Sullivan, News Journal (1/5/11)

• Md. Parish, Del. Priest Abuse Victim Reach $1.7 Million Settlement, by Sean O'Sullivan, News Journal (1/5/11)

• A History of Abuse, News Journal (1/11/11)

• Diocese Raises Offer to Victims, by Sean O'Sullivan, News Journal (1/11/11)

• Wilmington Diocese Offers $74 Mln Abuse Settlement, by Tom Hals, Reuters (1/11/11)

• Clergy Abuse in Delaware: Victims Say Diocese's New Plan Falls Short, by Sean O'Sullivan, News Journal (1/12/11)

• Catholic Diocese of Wilmington Parishes with the Most Publicly Accused Priests Assigned

• Diocese Bankruptcy Settles, by Kelli Steele, WGMD News (2/3/11)

• Clergy abuse in Delaware: Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, survivors settle suit: Framework would set aside $77.4M to pay abuse claims, by Sean O'Sullivan, News Journal (2/3/11)

Archdiocese of Milwaukee (filed 1/4/11)

• Letter from Then-Archbishop Dolan to Cardinal Hummes, Asking Permission to Transfer $56.9M to the Cemetery Fund (6/4/07)

• Letter from Cardinal Hummes to Archbishop Dolan, Granting Permission for the Transfer (7/18/07)

• Chapter 11 Reorganization, Archdiocese of Milwaukee Website (1/4/11)

• Statement of Jeff Anderson on the Milwaukee Archdiocese Filing for Bankruptcy, by Jeff Anderson, Jef Anderson & Associates (1/4/11)

• Archdiocese Filing for Bankruptcy, Annysa Johnson, Journal Sentinel (1/4/11)

• Abusive Priest Suits Force Archdiocese to File for Bankruptcy, by Richard Allen Greene, CNN (1/4/11)

• In Win for Milwaukee Archdiocese, Judge Shields Cemetery Funds from Creditors, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (7/30/13)

• Judge Won't Recuse Self in Archdiocese's Cemetery Trust Case, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (10/1/13)

• Another Ruling Favors Milwaukee Archdiocese in Bankruptcy Case, by Annysa Johnson, Journal Sentinel (10/23/13)

• Milwaukee Archdiocese Loses Interference Argument, by Matt Miller, Deal Pipeline (1/25/14)

• Archdiocesan Disclosure Statement (2/12/14)

• Archdiocesan Reorganization Plan (2/12/14)

• Archdiocesan Plan Sets Aside Less than $4 Million for Abuse Victims, by Annysa Johnson, Journal Sentinel (2/12/14)

• Archdiocesan Reorganization Plan Raises Fairness Questions, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (2/16/14)

• Court Upholds Dismissal of Claim in Milwaukee Archdiocese Bankruptcy, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (3/4/14)

• Archdiocesan Bankruptcy Case Moves One More Step Forward, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (4/18/14)

• Judges Challenge Archdiocesan Positions in Bankruptcy Case, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (6/2/14)

• Judge Rules She Can't OK Archdiocese Reorganization Plan: Susan V. Kelley Says Questions Remain in Related Lawsuit over Maintenance of Cemeteries, by Annysa Johnson, Journal Sentinel (6/20/14)

• An Open Letter to Pope Francis, by Peter Isely et al. (11/21/2014)

• A Tale of Two (or Three or Four) Bankruptcies, by Jennifer Haselberger, Canonical Consultation (1/16/15)

• Judge Dismisses Key Sex Abuse Claims against Archdiocese, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (3/4/15)

• Appeals Court Decision Regarding Cemetery Trust, by Judge Ann Claire Williams, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (3/9/15)

• Appeals Court Overturns Ruling on Milwaukee Catholic Cemetery Trust, by Tom Corrigan, Wall Street Journal (3/9/15)

• Court: Milwaukee Archdiocese Can't Use First Amendment to Protect against Claims in Bankruptcy, by Marie Rohde, National Catholic Reporter (3/10/15)

• Federal Court : Trust Fund Not Off Limits in Milwaukee Archdiocese Bankruptcy Case, by Chuck Quirmbach, Superior Telegram (3/10/15)

• Targeting the Trust Fund: Court Puts Nearly $60 Million Back in Play in Archdiocese Bankruptcy Case, by Mike Lowe, Fox 6 (3/10/15)

• The Tortured Consequences of a ‘Religious Freedom’ Law, by Jay Bookman, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (3/12/15)

• Retired Priest Asks Judge to Look at Use of Cemetery Funds, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (3/20/15)

• Bankruptcy Judge Sets November Hearing on Archdiocese Reorganization, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (5/7/15)

• Lawyers in Milwaukee Bankruptcy Proceedings Threaten to Drag Out Litigation, by Marie Rohde, National Catholic Reporter (5/8/15)

• Adelman Invites Mediation over Archdiocesan Cemetery Trust, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (5/12/15)

• Lawyers Delay Mediation Decision in Archdiocese's Bankruptcy Case, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (5/14/15)

• Archdiocese Asks Supreme Court to Weigh in on Cemetery Trust, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (7/7/15)

• Milwaukee Archdiocese Asks Supreme Court to Consider Ruling on Cemetery Fund, by Marie Rohde, National Catholic Reporter (7/8/15)

• What to Look for in the Milwaukee Archdiocese New Bankruptcy Reorganization Plan, by Peter Isely, SNAP Midwest (8/3/15)

• Key Parts of the Proposed Settlement Between the Archdiocese and Abuse Survivors, Archdiocese of Milwaukee (8/4/15)

• Archdiocese Settles Sexual Abuse Claims for $21 Million, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (8/4/15)

• Milwaukee Archdiocese "Settles" Sex Abuse Bankruptcy: $15 Million Dollars for Hundreds of Victims, $30 Million for a Handful of Lawyers, by Peter Isely, SNAP Midwest (8/4/15)

• Archdiocese Fails to Treat Survivors Fairly in Long, Drawn-Out Legal Battle, by Jeff Anderson and Mike Finnegan, Jeff Anderson & Associates (8/4/15)

- Questions and Answers about the Archdiocese Abuse Settlement, by Annysa Johnson, Journal Sentinel (8/4/2015)

• Chair of Archdiocese's Creditors Panel: Members Agonized over Settlement, by Annysa Johnson, Journal Sentinel (8/5/15)

• Milwaukee Archdiocese's Settlement Plan Stuns Sex Abuse Victims, by Marie Rohde, National Catholic Reporter (8/5/15)

• Milwaukee Archdiocese Offers Settlement for Victims of Clergy Sex Abuse, by Priyanka Boghani, PBS (8/5/15)



• Milwaukee Archdiocese Seeks to Settle Abuse Lawsuits, by Annysa Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (10/12/10)

• Vatican Declined to Defrock U.S. Priest Who Abused Boys, by Laurie Goodstein, New York Times (3/24/10) [with Timeline and Documents]

• Other Murphy Documents from the BishopAccountability.org Archive

• The Sexual Abuse of Children in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, by Peter Isely and Jim Smith (2/10/04)

Congregation of the Christian Brothers/Christian Brothers Institute/Christian Brothers of Ireland (filed 4/28/11)

• Briscoe Boys website

• Briscoe Memorial School: 'It Was a Truly Brutal Place', by Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times (2/16/04)

• Settlement of $1.1 Million in Catholic School Sexual-Abuse Case, by Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times (11/15/07)

• Haunted by Past: Principal in '86 Perv Bust, by Dan Mangan, New York Post (11/19/07)

• Seattle Archdiocese, Christian Brothers Reach $7M Settlement with Ex-Students, by Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times (1/29/09)

• Complaint for Damages in J.H., L.B., and D.P. v. Corporation of the Archbishop of Seattle and the Congregation of the Christian Brothers (8/26/10)

• Plaintiffs' Opposition to Defendants' Various Motions for Summary Judgment in J.H., L.B., and D.P. v. Corporation of the Archbishop of Seattle (10/12/09)

• Bankruptcy Documents (4/28/11)

• Christian Brothers File for Bankruptcy, Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala (4/29/11) [with links to background documents]

• Beset by Sex-abuse Lawsuits, Christian Brothers Catholic Order Files for Bankruptcy, by Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times (4/28/11)

• Christian Brothers Order Seeks Ch. 11, by Matt Miller, Daily Deal (4/29/11)

• Christian Brothers Order Files for Bankruptcy, Cites Sex-Abuse Lawsuits, by Gary Stern, Journal News (4/30/11)

• Christian Brothers Order Puts Assets at $74M in Bankruptcy Papers, by Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times (5/3/11)

• SNAP Statement on Seattle Archbishop's Role in Christian Bros. Child Sex Abuse, by Barbara Dorris, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (5/24/11)

• As Catholic Schools Close in Major Cities, the Need Only Grows, by Samuel G. Freedman, New York Times (6/3/11)

• Christian Brothers Creditors Want to Control Sale Process, by Matt Miller, Daily Deal (1/13/12)

• Bar Date: Order Approving Debtors’ Motion for Order Establishing Deadlines for Filing Proofs of Claim and Approving Form and Manner of Notice Thereof (2/10/12)

• Christian Brothers – Debtor Website including documents, list of institutions, and list of all brothers

• Accused Christian Brothers with Photos, Partial Assignment Histories, and Profiles, Jeff Anderson and Associates (2013)

• 31 Sexual Abuse Claims Filed Against Congregation of Christian Brothers, by Christopher T. Hurley et al. (4/26/13)

• Christian Brothers Settle Suit with 400 Sex Abuse Victims, by Manya A. Brachear, Chicago Tribune (5/24/13)

• Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization Proposed by the Christian Brothers’ Institute and the Christian Brothers of Ireland, Inc. and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (8/22/13)

• Modified First Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization Proposed by the Christian Brothers’ Institute and the Christian Brothers of Ireland, Inc. and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (1/10/14)

• Order Confirming First Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization (1/10/14) [includes Plan and other attachments]





Diocese of Gallup (filed 11/12/13)

• Diocese of Gallup to File Bankruptcy: Mounting Clergy Sex Abuse Legal Claims Spark Chapter 11 Reorganization, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, Gallup Independent (9/3/13)

• Declaration of Bishop James S. Wall in Support of Chapter 11 Petition and First Day Motions (11/12/13)

• Sex Abuse Lawsuits Drive Another Diocese into Chapter 11, by Pat Holohan, Deal Pipeline (11/13/13)

• Gallup Diocese's Bankruptcy Hearing Starts, by Olivier Uyttebrouck, Albuquerque Journal (11/18/13)

• Gallup Diocese Bankruptcy Raises Question of How Many More Victims There Are, by Olivier Uyttebrouck, Albuquerque Journal (12/14/13)

• Lawyers in Case to Define Assets of Gallup Diocese, by Olivier Uyttebrouck, Albuquerque Journal (12/15/13)

• Victim: As Many As 200 Abused in Winslow, by Olivier Uyttebrouck, Albuquerque Journal (12/15/13)

• Diocese Bankruptcy: More Abuse Victims, Church Property Listed, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, Gallup Independent (12/18/13)

• Gallup Diocese Has Loans Totaling $229,000, by Olivier Uyttebrouck, Albuquerque Journal (12/21/13)

• Bishop Goes before Bankruptcy Trustee, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, Gallup Independent (12/27/13)

• Diocese Questioned about Finances, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, Gallup Independent (12/28/13)

• Archdiocese Incorporates Most Parishes As Nonprofits, by Olivier Uyttebrouck, Albuquerque Journal (1/6/14)

• Bishop Wall's Moral Challenge, Editorial, Gallup Independent (1/7/14)

• Attorney for Abuse Victims Joins Diocese Bankruptcy Case, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, Gallup Independent (1/20/14)

• Diocese Creditors Meeting Cancelled, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, Gallup Independent (1/24/14)

• Church Bankruptcy Derails after Failed Mediation, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, Gallup Independent (7/11/15)

• Bankruptcy Docs Detail Diocese Spending, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, Gallup Independent (12/5/15)

• Diocese Bankruptcy Costs Exceed $3.6 Million, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, Gallup Independent (2/6/16)

• Bankruptcy’s Future Claims Rep Resigns, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, Gallup Independent (2/10/16)

• Debtors’ First Amended and Restated Plan of Reorganization (3/21/16)

• First Amended Disclosure Statement to Accompany “Debtors’ First Amended and Restated Plan of Reorganization" (3/21/16) including:

• Nonmonetary Undertakings (3/21/16)

• Diocese Abuse Settlement Exceeds $21M, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, Gallup Independent (3/22/16)

• Gallup Diocese Files Bankruptcy Plan, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, National Catholic Reporter (4/14/16)

• Bankruptcy Resolution Imminent? Judge Sets Diocese Confirmation Hearing, by Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola, Gallup Independent (5/4/16)

Diocese of Stockton (filed 1/15/14)

• Statement from Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton (1/13/14)

• Diocese of Stockton Q&A, by Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton (1/13/14)

• Stockton Catholic Diocese to File for Chapter 11 Protection, by Sue Nowicki, Modesto Bee (1/13/14)

• Diocese of Stockton Files for Bankruptcy Protection: Cites Liabilities From Sexual-Abuse Allegations, by Stephanie Gleason, Wall Street Journal (1/16/14)

• Abuse Claims Spur Stockton Diocese Filing, by Pat Holohan, Deal Pipeline (1/16/14)

• Attorney Targets Diocese: He Says Timing of Bankruptcy Filing Meant to Sidetrack Kelly Case Proceedings, by Kevin Parrish, The Record (1/16/14)

• Documents

• List of Creditors Holding 20 Largest Unsecured Claims (1/14/14)

• Voluntary Petition (1/15/14)

• Notice of Bankruptcy Filing (1/17/14)

• Motion to Employ Heenen Communications (1/23/14)

• Exhibits to Motion to Employ Heenen Communications (1/23/14)

• Statement of Financial Affairs, excerpts (1/29/14)

• Schedules, excerpts (1/29/14)

• Amended List of Creditors Holding 30 Largest Unsecured Claims (1/29/14)

• Declaration Concerning Single Asset Real Estate (PDF dated 1/30/14)

• Stockton Diocese Update: Mediator Appointed, by Sue Nowicki, Modesto Bee (2/6/14)

• Deadline Nears for Claims against Bankrupt Stockton Catholic Diocese, by Matthias Gafni, Mercury News (7/18/14)

• New Sexual Abuse Claims Emerge against Diocese, by Sabra Stafford, Turlock Journal (9/16/15)

• 34 Claims of Sexual Abuse Filed, by Rose Albano Risso, Manteca Bulletin (9/18/14)



Diocese of Helena (filed 1/31/14)

• Sex Abuse Survivors File Suit against Helena Diocese, Kosnoff Fasy (9/22/11)

• Letter to Parishioners, by Bishop George Leo Thomas (8/12)

• Helena Diocese, Nuns, Victims to Take Sex Abuse Claims before Mediator, by Matt Volz, Associated Press (12/04/12)

• Catholic Diocese Files for Bankruptcy Protection, by Matt Volz, Associated Press (1/31/14)

• 'Not Your Typical Bankruptcy' Filed by Montana Diocese, by Dan Morris-Young, National Catholic Reporter (1/31/14)

• Facing Abuse Claims, Helena Diocese Files for Bankruptcy, by Tom Corrigan, Wall Street Journal (1/31/14)

• Steps toward Settlement in Abuse Claims, A Letter from Bishop George Leo Thomas (2/2/14)

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena Files Bankruptcy, Proposes Settlement to 362 Sexual Abuse Victims, Datsopoulos, MacDonald & Lind, Press Release (1/31/14)

• Lawsuit Against St. Ignatius Ursuline Academy to Proceed, Lawyers Say, by Kathryn Haake, Missoulian (1/31/14)

• Helena Diocese Filing for Bankruptcy in Wake of Child Sex-Abuse Lawsuits, by Dan Boyce, Montana Public Radio (2/2/14)

• Amended Disclosure Statement (1/20/15)

• Exhibit A

• Exhibit B

• Exhibit C

• Second Amended Plan of Reorganization (3/4/15) with Nonmonetary Commitments

• Exhibit A-1 – General Allocation Plan

• Exhibit A-2 – Province Allocation Plan

• Exhibit B – Settlement Agreement, 6 insurers

• Exhibit C – Settlement Agreement, Great American

• Exhibit D – Financial Statements

• Exhibit E – Trust Agreement

• Exhibit F – Deposit and Loan Restoration Trust

• Exhibit G – Future Tort Claim Proof of Claim

• Exhibit H – Term Sheet

• Exhibit I – Province Release

• Exhibit J – Province Claimants

• Schedule 2-38a – Deposit and Loan Fund

• Schedule 2-38b – Deposit and Loan Values in Trust

• Schedule 2-39 – Diocese Entities

• Schedule 2-40 – Diocese Parties

• Schedule 2-71 – Placid Enterprises LLC Loan Agreement

• Exhibit – Escrow Agreement

• Order Confirming Plan of Reorganization (3/5/15)

• Findings and Conclusions (3/5/15)

• Clergy Sex Abuse Victims in Montana's Diocese of Helena to Receive $20 Million in Payments, by Matthew Brown, Huffington Post (3/5/15)



Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis MN (filed 1/16/15)

• Twin Cities Archdiocese Could File for Bankruptcy Soon, Experts Predict, by Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune (1/16/15)

• St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese Files for Bankruptcy, by Amy Forliti, Associated Press (1/16/15)

• Letter from Archbishop John Nienstedt, January 16, 2015

• Archdiocese's Reorganization Site [includes documents]

• Nienstedt: Bankruptcy Best Way to Handle Clergy Sex Abuse Claims, by Martin Moylan and Madeleine Baran, MPR (1/16/15)

Diocese of Duluth MN (filed 12/7/15)

• Petition (12/7/15)

• Diocese of Duluth Files for Bankruptcy, by Tom Olsen, Duluth News Tribune (12/7/15)

• Duluth Diocese to Enter Mediation with Abuse Victims, by Tom Corrigan, Wall Street Journal (12/11/15)

• Judge Sets Deadline in Duluth Diocese Bankruptcy Case, by Kevin Jacobsen, Northlands News Center (1/7/16)

• Diocese of Duluth Liabilities Total at $12 Million, WDIO (2/5/16)

• Mediator Requested in Duluth Diocese Bankruptcy, by Tom Olsen, Duluth News Tribune (2/14/16)

• Diocese Mediation Talks Expected to Begin in June, by Tom Olsen, Duluth News Tribune (3/14/16)

Diocese of New Ulm MN (filed 3/3/17)

• Diocesan Financial Reorganization, by Bishop John LeVoir, Diocese of New Ulm (3/3/17)

• New Ulm Bankruptcy Makes Minnesota No. 1 in Church Bankruptcies, by Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune (3/4/17)

• New Ulm Diocese in Southern Minnesota Files for Bankruptcy, by Amy Forliti, Associated Press (3/3/17)

• New Ulm Diocese Third in Minnesota to File for Bankruptcy, by Brian Roewe, National Catholic Reporter (3/3/17)

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings MT (filed 3/31/17)

• Diocese Filing for Bankruptcy to Settle Sex Abuse Claims, by Amy Beth Hanson, Associated Press (3/31/17)

• Montana Diocese Files for Bankruptcy Ahead of Trial, by Seaborn Larson, Great Falls Tribune (3/31/17)

Crosier Fathers and Brothers (filed 6/1/17)

• U.S. Crosier Province and Two Communities File for Reorganization, by Pat Walsh on behalf of the Crozier Fathers and Brothers (6/1/17)

• Crosier Order Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Framework Established for $25.5M Agreement with Abuse Survivors, Jeff Anderson & Associates (6/1/2017)

• Voluntary Petition (6/1/17) [document]

• Crosiers Agrees to $25.5M Settlement Decades after Reported Abuse, by Peter Cox, Minnesota Public Radio (6/1/17)

• Decades after Abuse, Crosiers Agree to $25.5 Million Settlement with Survivors, File Bankruptcy, by Mary Lynn Smith, Star Tribune (6/1/17)

Diocese of St. Cloud MN (announced 2/28/18)

• Diocese says it plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, The Visitor (2/28/18)

• St. Cloud Diocese to declare bankruptcy after sex abuse claims, by Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune (2/28/18)





Diocese of Rochester (announced 9/12/2019)

• Amid lawsuits, Diocese of Rochester files for Ch. 11 bankruptcy, WHAM Staff (9/12/19)

Diocese of Harrisburg (announced 2/19/20)

• Another Catholic diocese seeks bankruptcy after abuse deals, by Mark Scolforo, Associated Press (2/19/20)

Diocese of Buffalo (announced 2/28/20)

• Buffalo Diocese Embarks on Path Toward Reorganization, Diocese of Buffalo (2/28/20)

• Buffalo Roman Catholic Diocese Seeks Bankruptcy Protection, by Carolyn Thompson, Associated Press (2/28/20)





General Information on the Process and the Issues

Video Reports on the Bankruptcy Issue



• Tucson Bankruptcy Dilemma, by Judy Valente (8/20/04) [for 10-minute RealPlayer feature, click in the video box at this link] The transcript of this report is available below.

• L.A. Archdiocese Financial Crisis, Judy Valente (7/11/03) [for 7-minute RealPlayer feature with footage on diocesan valuation methods, click in the video box at this link]



Helpful Links



• Filing Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, by BankruptcyLawFirms.com, with brief articles on bankruptcy topics.

• Financial Administration, from Archbishop: Inside the Power Structure of the American Catholic Church, by Thomas J. Reese, S.J., 1989.





Church Finances and Bankruptcy in General



• Sexual Abuse Hits Church Finances, by Peter Gould (4/15/02)

• The Economic Strain on the Church, by William C. Symonds (4/15/02)

• The U.S. Catholic Church: How It Works, in Business Week (4/15/02)

• Q&A: A Talk with the Vatican's Moneyman, by Gail Edmondson, interviewing Cardinal Edmund C. Szoka (4/15/02)

• A New Chapter, by Fred Naffziger (10/21/02)

• What Happens When a Church Goes Bankrupt, by Brad Knickerbocker (7/9/04)

• L.A. Archdiocese Financial Crisis, Judy Valente (7/11/03)

• Did the Portland Catholic Archdiocese Declare Bankruptcy to Avoid or Delay Clergy Abuse Suits? by Marci Hamilton (7/13/04)

• Churches Weigh Going Bankrupt to Escape Suits, by Marie Beaudette (7/28/04)

• Catholic Diocese of Tucson Files Plan of Bankruptcy Reorganization, by Jack Siegel (9/22/04) [prompted by the Tuscon bankruptcy filing but relevant to all such filings]

• The Church in Chapter 11: The Lessons of the Catholic Diocese Cases, American Bankruptcy Institute (5/28/08)

• The Catholic Church in America: Earthly Concerns, The Economist (8/18/12)

• Dan Rather Reports: Spiritually Bankrupt, by Dan Rather (7/30/13)



Diocesan Assets and Real Estate



• Roman Catholic Bishop, by Jennifer Levitz (8/18/02) on the finances and real estate holdings of the Providence RI diocese

• Diocese Details Sale of Property, by Jennifer Levitz (4/15/02) on real estate owned by the diocese of Providence RI

• "Land Rich" {1} {2}, by Jack Sullivan and Eric Convey, with a table of land owned by the Boston archdiocese (also sorted in descending order of assessment value), a Boston Herald editorial, and a reply to this analysis printed in the Pilot, the archdiocesan weekly newspaper. (8/27/02)

• AG Gains Oversight of Assets at Parishes, by Michael Paulson (8/18/04)

• Bid to Freeze Diocese Assets Is Rejected, by Onell R. Soto (10/6/04)



Other Dioceses



• Perspectives: Bankruptcy Implications for Boston Archdiocese, by Bob Abernethy interviewing Michael Paulson (12/6/02)

• L.A. Archdiocese Financial Crisis, by Judy Valente (7/11/03)

• AG Gains Oversight of Assets at Parishes, by Michael Paulson (8/18/04)

• Attorney: Covington Diocese Looking at Bankruptcy, by the Associated Press (10/23/04)

• Diocese Faces Complex Choices, by Sam Hemingway, Burlington Free Press (6/1/08)











































Please send suggestions for adding documents to staff@bishop-accountability.org.