As Chair of the Official Committee of Survivors in the Diocese of Santa Rosa bankruptcy, I want to speak directly to Survivors with claims in this case.

I know this process has been long, painful, and exhausting. For many Survivors, it means being asked to think again about things no one should ever have had to experience. I also know that, for many of you, the waiting itself can be difficult. Every member of the Committee understands that. We carry that with us in the work we do.

The question we hear most often is: “When will this be over?” I wish I could answer that with a date. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict the timing with certainty. Historically, diocesan bankruptcies have often taken close to four years to complete. We are now a little over three years into this case. What I can tell you is that the Official Committee remains actively engaged in every aspect of the bankruptcy and continues to advocate for Survivors at every opportunity.

Like you, I hope we are moving closer to the end of this process. I wish I could say more about timing, but I cannot. Our legal professionals at Stinson LLP continue to guide and advise the Committee. They have represented committees in 10 diocesan bankruptcy cases that have reached settlement. We also have professionals advising the Committee as we evaluate the Diocese’s finances, property holdings, and other issues that affect the outcome of this case.

At this time, we are actively participating in mediation. Mediation allows the parties in the bankruptcy, including the Diocese and its insurers, to communicate with the assistance of an experienced mediator as demands, offers, and differences are addressed. Mediation is governed by strict confidentiality rules, which means participants cannot share developments publicly unless and until the parties agree that information may be disclosed. I know that can be frustrating. Please know, however, that the Official Committee of Survivors is present, engaged, and making its positions known.

As soon as we are able to share updates, we will post them at santarosasurvivors.com. You may also contact the Committee at any time by emailing santarosasurvivorteam@stinson.com. All messages are treated confidentially and will receive a reply. That email address is appropriate for general questions about the bankruptcy process or comments for the Committee. If you are represented by an attorney and have questions about your individual claim, you should communicate directly with your attorney.

I also want to say how proud I am of the hard work, care, and dedication of every Committee member. This work matters deeply to each of us. We are working not only to seek the fairest possible resolution for Survivors, but also to pursue meaningful youth protection measures designed to help keep children safe in the future.

These negotiations are complicated, and the legal process is complex. But the Committee has shown strength, unity, and determination in meeting the challenges before us. We will continue doing the work necessary to reach a resolution, and we will continue advocating for Survivors with everything we have. Thank you for the honor of advocating for you. Your patience and support are deeply appreciated. We will continue to post updates whenever we are able to do so.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco has announced a tentative agreement with the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case that would provide a $395 million settlement, along with several non-monetary commitments focused on youth protection. If approved by a survivor vote and the bankruptcy court, the settlement would establish a trust to compensate survivors through an efficient and equitable claims process.

This is a very significant development. It reflects an agreement to provide substantial compensation to survivors of abuse by priests, church employees, and volunteers, while also including meaningful measures intended to strengthen youth protection going forward.

At the same time, it is important to remember that every diocesan bankruptcy case is different. Settlement outcomes depend on many factors, including the financial circumstances of the particular diocese and the contributions available from other parties. For that reason, survivors should not assume that the San Francisco settlement predicts the outcome of the Santa Rosa bankruptcy case or the value of individual claims here.

Even so, the Official Committee in the Santa Rosa Diocese bankruptcy case is encouraged by this development and continues to work very hard toward the best possible financial recovery for survivors in Santa Rosa, along with meaningful changes to youth protection in the Diocese of Santa Rosa moving forward.

If you are a survivor with a claim in this bankruptcy case and have questions about your individual claim, you should contact your attorney if you are represented. If you have general questions about the bankruptcy process or would like to share comments with the Official Committee, please email santarosasurvivorteam@stinson.com.  All communications are treated confidentially, and we will respond to every message.

Recently, a jury in Oakland awarded a Survivor $16 million in a clergy abuse case. Because the Oakland Diocese is also in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, many Survivors in the Santa Rosa bankruptcy have asked: “Why can’t my case go to trial too?”

That is an understandable question. For many Survivors, the Chapter 11 process is unfamiliar and confusing. This website is intended to keep Survivors informed and answer common questions about the bankruptcy process.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy is a voluntary legal process that allows the Diocese of Santa Rosa to reorganize its debts and continue operating. When the Diocese filed for bankruptcy, an “automatic stay” immediately went into effect. That stay paused all lawsuits against the Diocese, including clergy abuse cases that had already been filed or were about to be filed.

The Diocese is seeking to resolve all claims through the bankruptcy process rather than through individual trials. As a result, the Official Committee of Survivors is working to negotiate the strongest possible financial settlement for all Survivors.

So why did a case proceed to trial in Oakland?

In some diocesan bankruptcies, including Oakland and Santa Rosa, the bankruptcy court allows a limited number of “stay relief” cases to move forward. These cases help establish how juries may value abuse claims and provide important information to the Diocese and its insurers about potential liability.

Importantly, any recovery from a stay relief case is typically included in the overall settlement process intended to benefit all Survivors. The purpose is not to give special treatment to one Survivor, but to help inform negotiations for everyone.

In Santa Rosa, the Court has authorized three stay relief cases to proceed. These cases require extensive preparation and may take significant time before reaching trial. The first trial may not occur until 2026 or later.

The Committee recognizes the courage of the Survivors involved, who may face intense scrutiny and possible retraumatization during the litigation process. Their efforts may help strengthen negotiations on behalf of all Survivors.

The Official Committee remains actively involved in every aspect of the bankruptcy process and remains committed to pursuing a fair and appropriate resolution for all Survivors.

If you have questions about how the bankruptcy may affect your individual claim, and you are represented by an attorney, please contact your attorney directly. General questions about the bankruptcy process or comments for the Committee may be sent to santarosasurvivorteam@stinson.com.

A jury in Alameda Superior Court (Oakland) found this week that one Survivor deserves to be paid $16 million for abuse he experienced in the Diocese of Oakland. The Survivor was abused by a priest who had previously been arrested for abuse, but was then moved to another post. The same priest had been accused of abuse in several other lawsuits. 

Rick Simons, lead trial attorney for the Survivor commented “This is a case about accountability, it’s about justice. It’s about the Survivor finding his voice and regaining his power. We stand with him on this momentous day.” Jeff Anderson, another attorney representing the Survivor commented “Today’s verdict reflects years of resilience and determination, driven by an unwavering pursuit of truth and justice. This moment belongs not only to the Survivor, but to every survivor who has stood up and spoken up.”  

The Diocese of Oakland is in bankruptcy, but this trial was able to proceed because the bankruptcy stay was lifted to allow a small number of Survivor lawsuits to proceed. Details regarding the case can be viewed via this link. Please be aware that details may be difficult to read and re-traumatizing for some Survivors.  

This result makes clear, once again, that Survivor claims are valid and serious and that the Church and its insurers face very significant financial responsibility for Survivor claims in all Catholic Church bankruptcies. The outcome also reflects the bravery and tenacity of the Survivor who agreed to stand up to the Church and its large insurers, and to face down the most difficult experiences of his life, in order to help other Survivors in the Diocese of Oakland and across the country.