SAN DIEGO—Parishioners were told Feb. 12 that the Diocese of San Diego was considering filing for bankruptcy because of the “staggering legal costs” as the diocese faces new lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of minors in years past.
The new lawsuits were emerging because of AB218, the state lawmakers passed this assembly bill in 2019 removing the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases and giving victims a three-year window to file lawsuits, according to ABC10.
The diocese told churchgoers that it was dealing with an estimated 400 suits seeking monetary damages for alleged acts of sexual abuse involving the church, the station reported. The church told people that none of the lawsuits involved people who were currently in the ministry.
A letter read to parishioners that filing bankruptcy would ensure that the assets of the diocese would be used equitably to compensate all victims of sexual abuse and provide a fund for future claimants of sexual abuse who have not filed a claim.
