The Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland filed for bankruptcy Monday due to hundreds of new child sex abuse claims, becoming the second diocese in California to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The San Francisco Bay Area diocese faces more than 330 lawsuits brought under a California law allowing claims that would have otherwise expired, Bishop Michael C. Barber said in a letter posted to the diocese\u2019s website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of them allege abuse that dates back to the 1980s and earlier, according to Barber, and by priests who are no longer active in ministry or deceased. He said a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization would ensure \u201ca fair and equitable outcome for survivors\u201d and allow the church to continue its work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SNAP, a survivors\u2019 network for clergy sex abuse victims, criticized the bankruptcy filing, calling it a ploy to keep information hidden. In a statement, it said the Oakland diocese could sell off property to compensate victims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Diocese of Oakland is morally bankrupt, but they do not deserve to be declared financially bankrupt,\u201d SNAP said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In March, the Diocese of Santa Rosa became the first in California to file for Chapter 11 protection, saying it could not pay out potential claims topping 200.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Oakland Diocese serves about 550,000 Catholics in the East Bay region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n