ALEXANDRIA (LA)
The Town Talk [Alexandria LA]
November 1, 2025
By Melinda Martinez
- The Diocese of Alexandria has filed for Chapter 11 reorganization due to financial claims from sexual abuse survivors.
- Bishop Robert W. Marshall, Jr. stated the action is a result of past abuse by some priests against minors.
- The diocese aims to fairly compensate survivors and continue its essential ministries.
- Chapter 11 will allow the diocese to handle all unresolved claims in a single, court-supervised process.
The Diocese of Alexandria posted on their website stating that the Diocese has filed for Chapter 11 reorganization on Friday due to paying out financial claims to survivors of sexual abuse perpetuated by some priests against minors.
Bishop Robert W. Marshall, Jr., posted a letter and spoke in a video about the filing. Both were posted to social media.
“This action is occurring because some past priest-perpetrators sexually abused minors, actions that are evil, sinful and go against everything the Church and the priesthood represents. As a result, there are financial claims pending against the diocese that exceed our means,” Marshall states in the letter.
He goes on to say that they have two goals by taking actions. The first is that they can do as much and as fairly as they can, “to compensate those who have been harmed.” The second is to carry on essential ministries of the diocese so they can continue to meet the needs of the parishes, parishioners and others who rely on the Church for assistance.
“A Chapter 11 proceeding is the best way to achieve these goals,” he states.
Alexandia is a mission diocese meaning that they rely upon others to sustain the Church’s work.
“As such, our resources are scare,” Marshall continues. “Chapter 11 will allow the diocese to use available funds to compensate all abuse survivors with unresolved claims in a single process overseen by a court, ensuring that all are treated equitably. Second, by serving as final call for legal claims against the diocese, the proceeding will allow the Church to move forward on stable financial ground, focused on its Gospel mission.”