STOCKTON (CA)
The Record

By The Record
January 13, 2014

STOCKTON — Four months after warning parishioners that bankruptcy protection was likely, the Catholic Diocese of Stockton will take that legal step.

On Monday, Bishop Stephen Blaire announced the diocese will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Wednesday because of the financial drain from continuing court settlements stemming from sex-abuse lawsuits.

Over the last two decades, the Diocese has spent $32 million in legal fees and settlements.

Stockton became the nation’s 10th Diocese to file for federal court protection.