The Diocese has been named in more than 130 new civil lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of a minor by clergy, following a recent three-year window in which civil suits were not barred by the statute of limitations in California.
About 90 percent of the abuses alleged in the lawsuits occurred at least 30 years ago and the most recent allegation, which has previously been made public, occurred in 2005. None of the priests named in the lawsuits are currently in active ministry; at least 25 of the 46 priests named are deceased.
“We have always recognized that part of our commitment to providing healing to those who have been sexually abused by clergy involves providing them a just level of financial compensation,” Bishop Alberto Rojas wrote in a Feb. 27 letter to the faithful of the Diocese. “Now, as we prepare our response to these new lawsuits, we must acknowledge the significant financial impact they would have on our local Church.”
Bishop Rojas’ letter references a strong historical track record of the Diocese in providing financial compensation to victims of clergy sexual abuse. More than $25 million has been paid in settlements over the past 20 years, the letter states, paid for through a combination of savings and insurance coverage. But the number of lawsuits filed during the three-year window that ended December 31, 2022, created by a 2019 change in state law, is significantly higher than past instances when the Diocese settled multiple cases at once.
Dioceses across California are facing hundreds of lawsuits and some, including San Diego, Oakland, and Sacramento, have suggested that filing for bankruptcy may be the only way that they can adequately compensate victims of abuse while still being able to carry out core ministries. The Diocese of Santa Rosa, in fact, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 13. The Diocese of Stockton filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2014 due to the financial impacts of clergy sexual abuse lawsuits.
Diocesan leaders say they will continue to review and analyze the 130 claims received to date and aim to treat everyone involved fairly as the claims work their way through the court system. The Diocese has no current intention of filing for bankruptcy protection, diocesan leaders say. The Diocese is working closely with its insurance carrier.
In closing his message, Bishop Rojas asked for prayers in his response to the financial challenge of the lawsuits and reminded the faithful to also keep all victims of abuse in prayer. He also encouraged local Catholics to view the crisis in the context of Church history.
“We have faced many trials in our history,” he wrote. “We have sinned, and we have suffered, and we have asked publicly for forgiveness. Through it all God has remained with us, calling us to redemption and renewal in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.”