Is the Santa Rosa Diocese seeking bankruptcy in good faith? That’s the question Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests or SNAP want answered by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
Last week, the diocese filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy amid over 200 claims of child sex abuse. This would force the claims to be settled through bankruptcy proceeding instead of civil court. SNAP is asking Bonta to investigate whether this bankruptcy is happening in good faith. SNAP says the bankruptcy move halts the cases and denies the victims and their lawyers from questioning church officials and other witnesses about the manner in which abusive priests were assigned and supervised. It unclear what authority Bonta has in the matter, being that this is in federal bankruptcy court, outside of his jurisdiction.
This also comes as the Oakland diocese is considering declaring bankruptcy as well, while they are dealing with over 300 cases of sexual abuse.
