Following a failed final attempt at settling clergy-abuse claims, the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego filed for Chapter 11 protection just before midnight last night, according to the San Diego Union Tribune. The filing makes San Diego the largest of five U.S. dioceses to declare bankruptcy.
The diocese’s action halts the first of about 150 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of children by 60 priests in incidents dating back decades. The chain of lawsuits was set to begin today.
Coverage from the San Diego paper.