UNITED STATES
BBC News
A Roman Catholic diocese in the US state of Montana has filed for bankruptcy protection, amid claims hundreds of children were abused.
Two 2011 lawsuits against the diocese in Helena, the state capital, allege that 362 children were abused between 1940-1980.
Plaintiffs claim the diocese protected the offenders or turned a blind eye.
The filing precedes proposed settlements reached during confidential mediation sessions, US media report.
A Montana bankruptcy court will be responsible for approving disbursement of a reported $15m (£9m) in compensation for identified victims, plus an undisclosed amount to be set aside for those plaintiffs who come forward at a later date.
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