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	Pastoral Statement on the Diocesan Reorganization Diocese of San Diego [San Diego CA] February 27, 2007 http://www.diocese-sdiego.org/BishopMessage/Pastoral%20Stmt%20on%20Diocesan%20Reorganization.pdf To the Pastors and People of the Diocese of San Diego Today, the Diocese of San Diego is filing a petition in bankruptcy court for Chapter 11 reorganization. This action was authorized by both the Diocesan Finance Council, comprised mainly of lay people, and the Diocesan College of Consultors, comprised of priests representing the body of priests in the diocese. Unfortunately, renewed efforts at settlement negotiations were unsuccessful. We put money on the table that would have stretched our financial capability to the limit, but demands were made which exceeded the financial resources of both the diocese and our insurance carrier. We have decided against litigating our cases because of the length of time the process could take and, more importantly, because early trial judgments in favor of some victims could so deplete diocesan and insurance resources that there would be nothing left for other victims. Consequently, we have concluded that Chapter 11 reorganization is now the best way available for us to compensate all of the victims as fairly and equitably as our resources will allow. To this end, we are presenting to the court an accurate statement on available diocesan assets and we will propose a comprehensive plan for compensating the victims and hearing their cases. Our participation in this process will demonstrate that this is not a "cop out," but a sincere effort to face up to our responsibility. At the same time, we will be disclosing the names of those accused, about whom there is certitude regarding their abuse, as well as the extent of their abuse, and we will verify that no known abuser is functioning in ministry. In pastoral outreach to victims of abuse over the past five years, our experience has been that they are not trying to harm the Church, but looking for no more than just and equitable compensation. This we will continue to do our best to provide. The Diocese of San Diego remains committed, above all, to reach out with pastoral concern and care to victims of sexual abuse and their families, and to promote healing and reconciliation with them. We look to our patrons, San Diego and Our Lady of Refuge, to win for us the grace of doing what God would have us do. /s/ Robert H. Brom Bishop of San Diego
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