Bankruptcy Protection in the Abuse Crisis Eight U.S. Catholic dioceses have filed for bankruptcy protection during the ongoing sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic church: Portland OR, San Diego CA, Tucson AZ, Davenport IA, Spokane WA, Fairbanks AK, Wilmington DE (includes parts of MD), and Milwaukee WI. The Oregon Province of the Jesuits and the Congregation of the Christian Brothers have also filed. 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.

Read BishopAccountability.org's statement on the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's filing for bankruptcy protection.

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

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)

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 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)

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)

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)

In re Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee, 11-20059, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

• 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)
• 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)
• 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)

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]

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.