St. Cloud Diocese declares bankruptcy
The Diocese of St. Cloud filed for bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court Monday, just weeks after reaching a $22.5 million settlement with clergy abuse survivors.
The Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing provides a "framework for resolution" of the clergy abuse claims filed by 70 individuals against 42 priests dating to the 1950s, the diocese said.
The diocese announced its intent to file for bankruptcy in 2018 to pay for the claims, and has been negotiating with attorneys for the survivors since.
"This Chapter 11 reorganization represents the diocese's commitment to finding a fair resolution for survivors," said the diocese news release announcing the filing.
"It's been a long haul, a long process, for survivors," added survivors' attorney Mike Finnegan. "We're glad that they're on the path to resolution and putting the lawsuits behind them."
St. Cloud is the fifth diocese in Minnesota, and the 26th Catholic diocese or religious order in the nation, to file for bankruptcy. In all cases, it followed a wave of lawsuits charging priest sexual misconduct with minors.
The New Ulm Diocese, Duluth Diocese and Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis have emerged from bankruptcy, said Finnegan. Winona Diocese has not reached a resolution, he said.
The Crookston Diocese, with 15 abuse lawsuits, did not file for bankruptcy.
The $22.5 million survivor fund will be administered by an independent trustee appointed by the bankruptcy court, with input from the committee representing survivors' interest, the diocese said.
The funds "are made up of insurance and benefits coverage settlements, cash and property contributions from the diocese, and contributions from pari...
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director