Archdiocese of San Francisco likely to file bankruptcy following hundreds of sexual abuse lawsuits

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- After hundreds of lawsuits were filed by alleged sexual abuse victims, the Archdiocese of San Francisco saying it likely will go bankrupt.

In a statement released Friday, the archdiocese said in part:

"For several months now, with the assistance of our financial and legal advisors, we have been investigating the best options for managing and resolving these cases. After much contemplation and prayer, I wish to inform you that a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization is very likely."

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The Diocese of Santa Rosa filed for bankruptcy Monday, citing new lawsuits from more than 200 survivors of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests.

"They have hundreds of millions of dollars in property. They're not bankrupt. If they're bankrupt, it's morally," said Joey Piscitelli.

News of the bankruptcy has frustrated people like Piscitelli.

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The Catholic Diocese of Oakland has filed a motion to keep names of priests accused of child sex abuse confidential.

Piscitelli says he was sexually abused as a child.

He now works with a group called SNAP, or the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

For Piscitelli, the potential bankruptcy filing causes several worries. One of the main ones being the delayed process of getting some form of justice for victims.

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"Everything stops for the bankruptcy proceeding," said Rick Simons.

Simons is an attorney who currently represents around 75 people with sexual abuse cases.

He says, if it happens, the bankruptcy filing will allow the archdiocese to deal with the hundreds of cases collectively instead of one by one.

"I think the chance that they are not compensated at all is very low. The chance that they are not compensated fairly is very high," Simons said.

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While the process plays out, Piscitelli says many of the victims will be waiting.

Hoping one day to find closure and some sense of peace.

"The church is presenting itself as the person who is the victim here, and they're not. Clearly, they're not," Piscitelli said.

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