Cardinal Robert McElroy, bishop of San Diego, celebrates Mass at St. Patrick's Church in Rome Aug. 28, 2022. / Credit: Hannah Brockhaus/CNACNA Staff, Jun 14, 2024 / 13:00 pm (CNA).The Diocese of San Diego filed for bankruptcy on Thursday, the latest U.S. diocese to do so in response to hundreds of sexual abuse allegations leveled against it. San Diego bishop Cardinal Robert McElroy said in February 2023 that the diocese was considering declaring bankruptcy due to the "staggering" legal costs of responding to 400 new lawsuits brought during a three-year statewide expansion of the statute of limitations for child abuse cases.In a letter to the diocese on Thursday, McElroy said that diocesan leaders have spent the past 16 months reviewing the abuse cases and that the diocese has "come to the conclusion that this is the moment to enter formally into bankruptcy and continue negotiations as part of the bankruptcy process."The bankruptcy filing, the cardinal said
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego announced Thursday that it will file for bankruptcy in the wake of hundreds of legal claims from alleged sexual abuse victims.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego announced Thursday that it will file for bankruptcy in the wake of hundreds of legal claims from alleged sexual abuse.
In a letter to parishioners and clergy, Cardinal Robert McElroy wrote that bankruptcy would help the Diocese fulfill its goals going forward, while also compensating abuse victims.