Key Facts

• The Archdiocese of San Francisco officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
• The filing responds to more than 500 civil lawsuits related to alleged child sexual abuse by priests.
• These lawsuits were made possible by California state law AB-218, passed in 2019, which allowed claims previously barred by time limits.
• The bankruptcy covers only the main legal entity known as "The Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco, a Corporation Sole."
• Church parishes, schools, and other related groups are not included in the bankruptcy and continue to operate normally.
• The archdiocese has paid about $68 million to around 100 claimants from earlier abuse claims using insurance and selling property.
• Other Bay Area dioceses, including Oakland and Santa Rosa, have also filed for bankruptcy due to similar lawsuits.
• Some lawyers representing abuse survivors criticized the bankruptcy filing, saying it protects the church more than victims.