Bankrupt Diocese Receives 34 Claims of Sexual Abuse

The Record
September 16, 2014

http://www.recordnet.com/article/20140916/NEWS/140919711/101087/A_NEWS

The Diocese of Stockton said it has received 34 claims of sexual abuse since it notified the public of a deadline imposed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

The diocese announced the news Tuesday in a statement that also said no priest in active ministry was named in those claims.

Diocese leaders filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in January, saying its finances have been drained by legal costs and settlements arising from claims of child sexual abuse by priests.

Over the past two decades, those costs have mounted to $32 million for the diocese which oversees parishes in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolomne, Alpine and Mono counties.

Following the bankruptcy filing, the courts set Aug. 15 as the deadline for anyone thereafter to file such a claim.

Sr. Terry Davis, spokeswoman for the diocese, said information in the claims that have been filed is confidential as ordered by the courts.