CALIFORNIA
The Union Democrat
By Alex MacLean, The Union Democrat
Published Jan 11, 2017
Nearly three years since filing for bankruptcy in response to a flood of sexual-abuse claims, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton is hoping to close the book on what Bishop Stephen Blaire has described as a “very difficult chapter.”
Judge Christopher M. Klein of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California approved Blaire’s reorganization plan for the diocese on Tuesday, according to a written statement. The diocese filed for bankruptcy on Jan. 15, 2014, after paying out more than $15 million to settle nearly two dozen sex-abuse claims over a 20-year period.
“The approved consensual Plan will allow the Diocese to exit bankruptcy within the next few weeks,” the statement said. “The Diocese with limited financial assets will be able to continue its essential ministries and services to meet the needs of the parishioners and others who rely on the Diocese’s ministry, education, and charitable outreach.”
Under the plan, the diocese has agreed to pay $15 million to survivors of sexual abuse by clergy. Part of the plan also involves making “non-monetary” commitments to the survivors that the diocese described as “important aspects of any healing process.”
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