MINNESOTA
GlobalPost
AFP
A US archdiocese said Friday it is filing for bankruptcy to compensate victims of sexual abuse, the 12th Roman Catholic district to do so in a years-long scandal that has rocked the Church.
The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is filing for bankruptcy for the “reorganization of the archdiocese corporation,” Archbishop John Nienstedt said in a letter posted on its website.
“I believe it is the fairest and most helpful recourse for those victims/survivors who have made claims against us,” he wrote.
“Reorganization will allow the finite resources of the archdiocese to be distributed equitably among all victims/ survivors.”
He insisted that the diocese’s mission would not be affected and that it will continue to provide “essential services” to the community.
It is the 12th diocese in the United States to declare bankruptcy in the past decade in order to free assets to repay victims of sexual abuse.
Nienstedt said the church assumes full responsibility for any abuses committed and that it supported victims.
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