Chapter 11 Filing
On May 8, 2023, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland (“RCBO”) announced the filing of a voluntary petition for bankruptcy relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The filing is necessary in light of the more than 330 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse brought against RCBO under a recent California statute that allowed decades-old claims otherwise time barred and expired to be filed.
Below are all the public releases by the Diocese on this process. For access to certain court documents and other information about our Chapter 11 case, please visit https://www.kccllc.net/RCBO.
Apology to Survivors of Abuse
I want to convey a heartfelt and unconditional apology to the survivors of child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Oakland, both those with claims in the bankruptcy, as well as all other survivors.
I see the pain and destruction that was perpetrated by representatives of the Church. Like my predecessor bishops before me, I convey a sincere, complete, and unconditional apology.
I am deeply sorry. The evil of abuse you suffered was compounded by the fact that it was committed by those ordained as heralds of the Gospel and ministers of the Sacraments. The exercise of priestly ministry involves a sacred trust intended to represent the holiness and goodness of Christ and the love Christ has for each person. Using deception and manipulation, these evildoers exploited that sacred trust. Their heinous acts of sexual abuse inflicted untold harm on trusting and vulnerable children. It shattered their innocence.
The behavior of these abusers therefore represents the polar opposite of what any representative of the Church should be. Whenever word of this depravity reaches the consciousness of the faithful, it causes scandal and rightfully elicits anger, repulsion and anguish.
Although it is obvious, I must also clearly state here that the survivors of this evil are blameless, and completely innocent of responsibility for it.
Even while recognizing that the Church – like society in general – is made up of people who struggle with sin, human weakness and fallibility, the sin of child sexual abuse can have no place whatsoever among those who have a ministry role in the Catholic Church.
Stewards of the Church, such as myself and my co-workers, continue to work tirelessly to ensure this. The sin of abuse is diametrically opposed to the will of God and must be utterly rejected by those who aspire to follow Christ and serve the members of His Body.
For the suffering of each person who has been abused, I offer our deepest unconditional apology.
The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, S.J.
Bishop of Oakland
We pray that this decision helps bring peace and healing to the survivor. Bishop Barber reiterates the public apology he made in open court to all survivors, including the abuse this man suffered some 50 years ago. Since then, the Oakland Diocese has implemented decisive policies for the protection of youth, and for the vetting and training of clergy, staff, and volunteers working in all Catholic institutions.
The diocese sought a global settlement of the 330 lawsuits filed to ensure a fair and equitable outcome for all survivors. Awards of this magnitude underscore the necessity of the bankruptcy process and a confirmed plan that pays all survivors fairly and equitably, not just those fortunate enough to be first in line for a trial.
Dear brother priests and faithful of the Diocese of Oakland,
Earlier today, the court ordered the parties in the Diocese of Oakland bankruptcy to continue mediating, and report back to court at a status conference hearing on January 20, 2026. We will continue to provide updates as appropriate until that time.
As we continue in this prayerful Advent Season and prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, we ask for the continued intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, Mother of God, Queen of the World, and Patroness of our Diocese, as well as the intercession of all the Angels and Saints --- ora pro nobis !
Yours in Christ,
Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ
This week, the Diocese of Oakland submitted a term sheet setting forth the diocese’s agreement-in-principle with several of its insurance carriers in regards to our bankruptcy case. In that term sheet, the Diocese informed survivors of sexual abuse – and the public – it is willing to pay, together with the Roman Catholic Welfare Corporation of Oakland, $200 million over a five-year period to a trust we plan to set up for survivors. This represents the highest per-capita payment, over $560,000, to survivors in any diocese bankruptcy with more than 200 survivors. In addition to the Diocese offer, three of our insurers also committed to contribute more than $42.5 million to the trust.
This is a welcome development.
It is not the end of the road, however, and we still have much work to do including continuing to negotiate with the Creditors Committee representing the survivors in our bankruptcy case, as well as with our insurers. We will provide further details as soon as possible. Please continue to pray for the survivors and others affected by sexual abuse and for all the mediators and professionals who are working hard to achieve a consensual resolution.
As we continue to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadelupe this weekend, we also ask for the continued intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, Mother of God, Queen of the World, and Patroness of our Diocese, as well as the intercession of all the Angels and Saints --- ora pro nobis !
To the faithful Catholics of our Diocese,
Peace be with you.
I want to provide you all with a brief update on the status of our bankruptcy case, which is now in a critical time. As your bishop, I also ask for your prayers.
We were encouraged to hear in open court on Nov. 12, 2025, the two independent mediators report on the constructive negotiations occurring among the parties, leading those mediators to see "light" in the process.
The Diocese of Oakland welcomes the court’s decision to grant the mediators’ request for two more weeks to try to reach a settlement before Thanksgiving.
We remain committed to work in good faith toward a settlement that is fair and equitable to both the survivors of abuse, and to the 500,000 faithful Catholics in our diocese.
The challenge in meeting those goals, particularly in light of our limited resources, continues to be a great struggle. It is a matter of public record that we have already offered a recovery, roughly a half million dollars per person, which exceeds any offer in similar bankruptcy with more than 200 survivors. We are committed to doing our best.
Thus, in this critical period, I ask all of you to join me in offering constant and fervent prayers for a successful resolution to this case. We pray first and foremost for the survivors of sexual abuse in our diocese, who continue to experience terrible pain and suffering. We must all remember that these survivors are innocent of the evil they endured.
Please join me also in praying for our legal team, for all the other professionals working for a successful resolution to this case, and for the honorable court.
We ask in particular for the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, Mother of God, Queen of the World and patroness of our diocese, who stayed faithfully by her Son at the foot of his cross through His death on Calvary.
With the assurance of my continued prayers for you, I remain
Yours sincerely in Christ,
The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, SJ
Bishop of Oakland
September 12, 2025
The Holy Name of Mary
Dear Catholic Faithful of the Diocese of Oakland,
May the peace of Jesus Christ continue to be with you all!
As many of you have seen, in our bankruptcy we recently offered the 345 survivors of sexual abuse a compensation package of $165 million. Of the $165 million, $160 million would be used to compensate known claims, which results in a per-capita average recovery in excess of $463,000 for each survivor --- an offer which constitutes a new record high in church-side settlement contributions for all diocesan bankruptcies with over 200 survivor claims. This amount does not include monetary contributions from our insurers, but we have also offered to give our insurance rights to the survivors so they can choose to pursue their own insurance recoveries. If accepted, this proposal would stretch our limited resources to the absolute maximum, but we believe it would fairly and reasonably compensate all survivors who have suffered so much.
We have done our best to put forward a fair and just offer, putting the needs of our survivors first and foremost. The goal of our good faith settlement offer was to ensure all survivors receive compensation, not just those survivors who win the race to the state courthouse. In the meantime, we continue to aggressively pursue additional recoveries from our insurers, who received millions of dollars in premium payments and who need to do the right thing and compensate the survivors.
Regrettably, the tens of millions spent on both sides’ attorney fees and other extensive administrative expenses of the bankruptcy case has bled our resources without achieving a settlement. We unfortunately lack the resources to continue the bankruptcy process if we do not reach a settlement very soon. We ask for your prayers first and foremost for the continued healing of the survivors, who are innocent. We also ask for your prayers that a just and fair settlement be reached as soon as possible with both the survivors’ representatives and our insurers.
Mary the Mother of God, who remained with her son Jesus Christ at the foot of the Cross through his suffering and death, ora pro nobis !
Yours sincerely in Christ,
The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, S.J.
Bishop of Oakland
August 14, 2025
Saint Maximilian Kolbe,
Priest
Dear brother priests, faithful Catholics and friends of the Diocese of Oakland,
I pray this message finds you and your loved ones well as we move through the summer and prepare our hearts and communities for the second half of the year.
Since my last update in April 2025, we have continued to work closely with our attorneys, advisors, chancery leadership, pastors, and other stakeholders to reach a just and equitable resolution to our Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This has been an extremely challenging undertaking, for which we continue to ask all of you for your prayers. Despite our best efforts, we have not yet arrived at a settlement. Nonetheless, we have reached a pivotal point: we must now begin the careful and methodical process of selling non-essential real estate assets across the Diocese to fund both our anticipated settlement as well as the ongoing administrative costs of the bankruptcy.
This phase is part of a planned, multi-year effort, primarily guided by the determination of what is critical for the preservation of the sacred mission of the Church in our Diocese. In this respect, the MAP process has played a critical, though non-exclusive, role. That determination is then refined by input from our legal, real estate, and financial advisors, all of which has allowed us to identify underutilized or non-essential properties that can be sold to help fund the settlement trust and help pay the ongoing administrative expenses of the bankruptcy, neither of which can be avoided.
This is a diocesan-wide effort, and while it will require sacrifice from every single parish in our diocese, it will also help us emerge from bankruptcy better able to carry out our sacred mission. The Chapter 11 proceeding and its resolution is a shared obligation of all the parishes of the diocese.
Please rest assured that all property sales at any and all parishes will be reviewed carefully, conducted by a highly qualified real estate firm, discussed with the Pastor and Parish Finance Council, and ultimately approved by me. Our goal is to achieve the best possible value for the Chapter 11 settlement and for the Diocese’s future mission.
Please continue to pray for our Diocese, for all who are working for the success of our bankruptcy case, for the Court, and especially for our brothers and sisters who suffered abuse. May Our Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of the World, who remained at the foot of the Cross with her Son, continue to intercede for us.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, S.J.
Bishop of Oakland
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14 de agosto de 2025
San Maximiliano Kolbe,
SacerdoteEstimados hermanos sacerdotes, fieles católicos y amigos de la Diócesis de Oakland,
Pido a Dios que este mensaje los encuentre bien a ustedes y a sus seres queridos mientras recorrimos el verano y preparamos nuestros corazones y comunidades para la segunda mitad del año.
Desde mi última actualización en abril de 2025, hemos seguido trabajando en estrecha colaboración con nuestros abogados, asesores, líderes de la cancillería, párrocos y otras partes interesadas para llegar a una resolución justa y equitativa a nuestra bancarrota conforme al Capítulo 11. Este ha sido un proyecto extremadamente desafiante, por el cual continuamos pidiendo sus oraciones a todos ustedes. A pesar de nuestros mejores esfuerzos, aún no hemos llegado a un acuerdo. Sin embargo, hemos llegado a un punto crucial: ahora tenemos que comenzar el proceso cuidadoso y metódico de vender activos no esenciales de bienes raíces en toda la Diócesis para financiar tanto nuestro acuerdo legal anticipado como los costos administrativos continuos de la bancarrota.
Esta fase es parte de un esfuerzo planificado y de varios años, guiado principalmente por la determinación de lo que es crítico para la preservación de la misión sagrada de la Iglesia en nuestra Diócesis. En este sentido, el Proceso de Alineación de la Misión (MAP) ha desempeñado un papel decisivo, aunque no exclusivo. Esa determinación se afinó luego con el aporte de nuestros asesores legales, financieros y de bienes raíces, todo lo cual nos ha permitido identificar propiedades subutilizadas o no esenciales que pueden venderse para ayudar a financiar el fideicomiso creado para el acuerdo legal anticipado y ayudar a pagar los gastos administrativos continuos de la bancarrota, ninguno de los cuales se puede evitar.
Este es un esfuerzo que abarca toda la diócesis y, si bien requerirá el sacrificio de cada una de las parroquias de nuestra diócesis, también nos ayudará a salir de la bancarrota mejor capacitados para llevar a cabo nuestra sagrada misión. El procedimiento del Capítulo 11 y su resolución es una obligación compartida de todas las parroquias de la diócesis.
Tengan por seguro que todas las ventas de propiedades en todas y cada una de las parroquias serán revisadas cuidadosamente, realizadas por una empresa de bienes raíces altamente calificada, dialogados con el Párroco y el Consejo de Finanzas Parroquial y, en última instancia, aprobadas por mí. Nuestro objetivo es lograr el mejor valor posible para el acuerdo del Capítulo 11 y para la misión futura de la Diócesis.
Por favor, continúen orando por nuestra Diócesis, por todos los que están trabajando por el éxito de nuestro caso de bancarrota, por la Corte y especialmente por nuestros hermanos y hermanas que sufrieron abuso. Que Nuestra Santísima Madre María, Reina del Mundo, que permaneció al pie de la Cruz con su Hijo, continúe intercediendo por nosotros.
Sinceramente suyo en Cristo,
Obispo Michael C. Barber, S.J.
Obispo de Oakland
Dear faithful Catholics and friends of the Diocese of Oakland,
May the peace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ continue to be with each one of you!
As we journey through Holy Week, I wanted to follow up on previous bankruptcy updates and let you know about recent progress, and upcoming challenges. Since we filed for bankruptcy almost two years ago on May 8, 2023, progress has been made but many challenges lie ahead.
Our Diocese filed bankruptcy because we believe this process is the best way to support a fair and equitable outcome for abuse survivors (all of whom are blameless for the terrible evil committed against them), while we continue our mission to spread the Gospel and provide essential services and support so crucial to our parishioners and communities. These are our two equally important key goals: having a Plan of Reorganization confirmed which 1) is fair to the survivors and victims of child sexual abuse, and 2) allows the Diocese to emerge from bankruptcy able to continue its mission, allowing all 550,000 of you to exercise your God-given right to practice the faith. This has been difficult. I am providing this update to you regarding our progress to date.
On April 4th, the Honorable William J. Lafferty of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California, Oakland Division, approved the Diocese’s Disclosure Statement, which is the document that describes the accompanying Third Amended Plan of Reorganization, for distribution to creditors and claimants in the bankruptcy case, which distribution occurred last week ending April 11. The creditors in the bankruptcy will now vote on the Plan with ballots due May 30, 2025, following which the Diocese intends to move forward with confirmation in hearings beginning on August 25, 2025. The schedule allows the Diocese to remain on track to emerge from the Chapter 11 process in late 2025. The Diocese is committed to obtaining the bankruptcy court’s approval of the Plan.
The Diocese is aware the Committee is circulating a letter to claimants in the bankruptcy case urging them to vote against confirmation of the Plan, alleging without any factual basis the Diocese has undervalued its assets and is shielding them from creditors. This is categorically untrue. Throughout the bankruptcy case, the Diocese has been fully transparent and forthright with all of its finances, and has complied with all legal requirements to disclose its assets. These filings are publicly available. Indeed, the bankruptcy court recently dismissed the lawsuit filed by the Committee against the Diocese in which the Committee alleged the Diocese had wrongfully transferred more than $100 million dollars to shield those funds from creditors. In addition, the Bankruptcy Court concluded the Debtor provided adequate information regarding its assets when it approved our Disclosure Statement and permitted it to be sent to all of the creditors in the case. While we cannot control what the Committee does, its actions will not deter the Diocese from its commitment to seek confirmation of the Plan in order to compensate survivors of abuse fairly and equitably, while continuing its mission to serve the faithful and our community.
The approved Disclosure Statement and accompanying Plan represent nearly two years of hard work in this case. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts and some progress having been made, more than one year of intense negotiation in mediation sessions overseen by three court-appointed mediators has failed to result in an agreed settlement with the committee representing the sexual abuse survivors. It has been similarly difficult to achieve progress with specific insurers to contribute cash to help fund a settlement. And with the average monthly administrative costs of the bankruptcy case approaching $2 million (and more than $30 million incurred to date), we simply lack the assets to pursue any path other than approval of the proposed Plan with the Court. All of you should know that the compensation provided for in the Plan we have proposed in good faith compares very favorably to plans confirmed in similar diocesan bankruptcies.
It is also important we keep you updated on our efforts to ensure a safe environment for all in our Oakland Diocese, particularly children. These intensified efforts pre-date the Dallas Charter, adopted a quarter century ago. Our efforts reflect exemplary reform and progress in providing a safe environment, but we can never become complacent. Our annual audits by outside agencies likewise assure us that we are keeping our promises to do what we can to provide a safe environment. Please join me in thanking the multitude of priests, religious, lay employees, professionals, and volunteers serving our Diocese who have worked so hard to achieve this together. I want to reiterate that not only I, but all my successors, will remain vigilant in our continuing response to the abuse crisis.
In this Holy Week, I ask all of you to keep this Diocese, those who serve it in this bankruptcy, the Court, and especially our brothers and sisters who blamelessly endured terrible abuse, in your prayers. And we ask Mary, Queen of the World, who stayed with her Divine Son throughout his passion and death on Calvary, to intercede for us.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, S.J.
Bishop of Oakland
Plan seeks to provide fair and equitable compensation
On March 17, 2025, the Diocese of Oakland filed its Third Amended Plan of Reorganization, which seeks to balance two vital goals: providing fair and equitable compensation for survivors of child sexual abuse, and reorganizing the diocese to enable it to continue our mission of spreading the Gospel and serving the poor and vulnerable in the East Bay.
Our diocese's plan exceeds – on a per-abuse claim basis – the equivalent contributions from debtors in recent diocesan bankruptcy cases that are comparable to our own diocese’s bankruptcy case. In our plan, the diocese has increased its cash contribution to $115 million. Additionally, The Roman Catholic Welfare Corporation (schools) has increased its contribution to $28.5 million, contingent on the number of releases it obtains from survivors who have asserted liability against the schools. In addition, the diocese’s plan assigns to a trust created for the survivors the rights and obligations of the diocese in its insurance policies, such that all the expected contributions from our insurers would go to survivors.
This amended plan was necessary because, despite our efforts at an agreed settlement following some 15 months of mediation, we haven’t been able to reach a settlement. Unfortunately, given the extremely high fees and costs of running the bankruptcy case, we lack the resources to keep funding the case. I ask all of you for your continued prayers and support at this critical time.
Yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Michael C. Barber, S.J.
Bishop of Oakland
El 17 de marzo, la Diócesis de Oakland presentó su Tercer Plan Enmendado de Reorganización, que busca equilibrar dos objetivos vitales: proporcionar una compensación justa y equitativa para los sobrevivientes de abuso sexual de menores de edad, así como reorganizar la Diócesis para permitirle continuar nuestra Misión de difundir el Evangelio y servir a los pobres y vulnerables en el Este de la Bahía.
El Plan de nuestra Diócesis excede —en función de cada denuncia de abuso— las contribuciones equivalentes de los deudores en casos de bancarrota recientes de diócesis que son comparables al caso de bancarrota de nuestra propia Diócesis. En nuestro Plan, la Diócesis ha aumentado su contribución en efectivo a $115 millones. Además, la Corporación de Bienestar Católico Romano (las Escuelas) ha aumentado su contribución a $28.5 millones, dependiendo del número de exenciones de responsabilidad que obtenga de los sobrevivientes que han afirmado responsabilidad contra las Escuelas. Además, el Plan de la Diócesis asigna a un fideicomiso creado para los sobrevivientes los derechos y obligaciones de la Diócesis en sus pólizas de seguro, de modo que todas las contribuciones esperadas de nuestras aseguradoras se destinarían a los sobrevivientes.
Este plan enmendado era necesario porque a pesar de nuestros esfuerzos por llegar a un acuerdo —después de unos 15 meses de mediación— no hemos podido alcanzarlo. Y desafortunadamente, dados los costos y honorarios extremadamente altos que implica llevar adelante un caso de bancarrota, carecemos de los recursos para seguir financiando el caso. Les pido a todos sus continuas oraciones y apoyo en este momento crítico.
Suyo en Cristo,
Obispo Michael C. Barber, S.J.
Obispo de Oakland
Diocese reorganizes to create and fund a Survivors' Trust for sexual abuse survivors
“I apologize without reservation for the terrible suffering survivors have endured,” said Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ. “I and everyone in the Diocese of Oakland remain committed to the healing of survivors and their families, and to ensure no clergy, religious, employee or volunteer who would abuse a child can be in any ministry in our church.”
OAKLAND – To provide just and equitable compensation to abuse survivors who have filed claims under California AB 218, and to allow the Diocese of Oakland to continue in its essential work, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland (RCBO) filed a Plan of Reorganization with the bankruptcy court on Nov. 8, 2024.
The Plan, if confirmed by the bankruptcy court, creates a Survivors' Trust to provide compensation of between approximately $160 million and $198 million or more for approximately 345 claims.
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The $160 million to $198 million in the Survivors' Trust will be funded from $103 million contributed by RCBO, a contribution of real estate which RCBO believes is worth between $43 million and up to approximately $81 million or more, a contribution by the Roman Catholic Welfare Corporation/Schools of $14.25 million, and possible contributions of cash from other entities
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RCBO will also contribute and assign to the Survivors' Trust all its rights and interests in its insurance policies, which provides survivors with the right to pursue and receive insurance proceeds from RCBO's insurers. To fund the Survivors' Trust, RCBO will obtain a loan, use cash resources and sell real estate.
RCBO entered bankruptcy to reach a consensual resolution with the survivors, represented by the nine-member Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors. Since early 2024, RCBO has attempted to reach an agreement through a mediation process. RCBO is committed to continuing this mediation process while it seeks approval by the bankruptcy court for its reorganization.
“While this is an extremely difficult challenge, we want to honor our obligation to survivors,” Bishop Barber said. “We recognize that no amount of money can satisfactorily compensate survivors for the abuse they suffered. Bearing that in mind, we believe the plan compensates survivors in a fair and equitable way and allows the Diocese of Oakland to set a path forward to continue to spread the Gospel, serving the faithful and the poor."
The Reorganization Plan also re-affirms the diocese's commitment to the continued protection of children and vulnerable adults, as outlined in the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, and its own policies and procedures, which require all who work and volunteer in the diocese receive criminal background checks and training on how to prevent sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults.
RCBO continues to provide assistance for survivors through counseling, support groups, and spiritual direction by its Office for Victims Assistance (see oakdiocese.org/safe-environment ).
The Plan of Reorganization and its accompanying Disclosure Statement, which explains the background of the case and provides additional information for parties to consider, can be found at www.veritaglobal.net/rcbo/document/list/5862.
October 7, 2024
Our Lady of the Rosary
CHAPTER 11 UPDATE
Dear faithful Catholics and friends of the Diocese of Oakland,
May the peace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ continue to be with each one of you!
Today, I want to update you on the progress we have made since May 8, 2023, when the Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland (the Diocese) made the difficult but necessary decision to seek bankruptcy protection. The effect of California state law AB 218, which temporarily revived the statute of limitations for sexual abuse claims, meant we did not have the resources to simultaneously defend the claims made against the Diocese for abuse which happened decades ago, and to provide adequate compensation to abuse survivors, as well as to continue to fulfill our mission to serve God and His people.
Thus, the Diocese filed bankruptcy because we believe this process is the best way to support a compassionate and equitable outcome for abuse survivors, while we continue to spread the Gospel and provide essential services and support so crucial to our parishioners and communities.
We believe we have made significant progress toward that goal. Regrettably, it has been necessary for the Diocese to sue our insurers, so they will satisfy their moral and contractual responsibility to pay covered claims and assist contributing to a settlement. This pursuit now involves more than a dozen different insurers and a court-ordered mediation process and is a key component of a potential settlement in bankruptcy.
Second, over the last seven months, we have been engaged in mediation with the group of survivors appointed by the bankruptcy court, through mediation with their counsel and representatives. We are also separately mediating with representatives of our insurers. Each mediation is overseen by court-appointed mediators, with the goal of reaching a settlement which may then be approved by the bankruptcy court. We are working toward a bankruptcy court deadline of Nov. 8, 2024, through which the Diocese has the exclusive right to file a plan of reorganization with the bankruptcy court, pursuant to which the Diocese would seek to compensate the survivors. The details of these negotiations are confidential pursuant to an order of the bankruptcy court, and the process remains extremely difficult.
The bankruptcy case has required a tremendous amount of effort including making necessary court filings and production of reams of documents and information about the Diocese. The financial burden of being a debtor in bankruptcy is also tremendous. We believe progress is being made. Still, I must stress to you that a settlement in the bankruptcy case, if we are able to achieve it, will necessarily involve shared sacrifice – there is no way around this.
Nothing can undo or excuse the terrible suffering the survivors have endured following the deplorable conduct of their abusers. We are hopeful the survivors nonetheless recognize the Diocese is working in good faith to try to compensate them fairly and equitably. I believe this kind of settlement is the right thing to do.
A settlement in the bankruptcy case is not guaranteed, and much work remains. Therefore, I ask you, my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, to join me in praying for a successful conclusion to this process. Please pray for the survivors; for those in our Diocese working so hard now to keep children safe; for our team working to resolve the bankruptcy case fairly and justly; and for me.
This is a time of purification for our Church and Diocese. We are committed to the mission Christ has entrusted to us: to bring His message of love, mercy, and salvation to the people of the East Bay. We trust in the promise Christ made to us at His Ascension: "I will be with you all days, until the end of the world." It is His Church; and the power of His love will prevail.
I thank you, the priests, religious, and laypeople of our Diocese for your generosity, fidelity, and good will.
On this feast day of the Holy Rosary, we ask Mary, Queen of Heaven, to intercede for us with her Divine Son.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, S.J.
Bishop of Oakland
Dear parishioners and friends of the Diocese of Oakland,
As we come to the final days of our liturgical year, looking forward to the feast of Christ the King, I want to take this opportunity to update you on the good work happening in our Diocese and what are moments of hope going forward into Advent and our new year. I would also like to update you on where we are in the bankruptcy process.
In September, we saw a most extraordinary gathering of our faithful at the Cathedral of Christ the Light. Our Diocesan Eucharistic Revival Congress brought nearly 2,000 Catholics to our Cathedral for several days, and together we worshiped, adored, and glorified Jesus Christ, body, blood, soul, and divinity. I know our Diocese is blessed and will continue to be blessed by our dedication to Our Lord and Savior in the gift of the Eucharist.
In many ways, the Diocesan Eucharistic Revival Congress is a beacon for us. Not only did we experience God’s tremendous sacrificial love for us in those days, I believe we have also seen a glimpse into our future, of being the Body of Christ that witnesses God’s salvation for all.
As Christ’s ambassadors, we are creating places where people can come to know Jesus Christ and He can come to know them. Our parishes and schools and our St. Vincent de Paul Societies and Catholic Charities locations are all sacred places – beacons of Christ’s mercy.
This purpose and hope are the heart of our Mission Alignment Process. We are taking stock of the gifts given to us by God, both temporal and our own talents, and understanding how we can be more effective in bringing about tremendous fruit in our Diocese.
We are committed to addressing the current reality in our Diocese, a reality happening not just here, but throughout North America and in many Christian denominations. It is a dual challenge of declining engagement by Catholics and a decline in priestly and religious vocations, resulting in underutilized parish resources and facilities. In our Diocese, for example, we have 25% fewer priests than in 1985 and Mass attendance has dropped precipitously, almost in half, since 2010. It is essential we focus on our mission to serve people where they are now… and not where they were in 1965 (when most of our parish facilities were built). We cannot afford to maintain structures that no longer serve our mission.
We filed for bankruptcy because we believe this process is the best way to support a compassionate and equitable outcome for survivors of abuse, while ensuring we continue to provide the essential services and support so crucial to our parishioners and communities.
Since the initial filing, we have continued our important spiritual work while moving forward with the Court supervised proceedings. The September 11 deadline for survivors of clergy sexual abuse to file claims has passed, closing the period established by the bankruptcy court for all claims to be filed.
As a result, there are now 407 claims to resolve through the bankruptcy process. Now that we have a defined claim universe, the Diocese can begin working with both the creditors’ committee and our insurers on a plan to equitably compensate the survivors.
The next steps include entering into mediation with the creditors’ committee and insurers, conducted by court-appointed mediators. Mediation will serve as an essential path by which claimants will receive compensation through the bankruptcy process.
I ask for your commitment to work with me and our pastors in the upcoming months as we determine how best to “right size” our parishes to serve the faithful and all who come to us seeking Christ’s tender love. This effort will require us to reimagine how we use our facilities and other resources. All will be impacted by these changes; yet I promise all will be able to be part of a faith community where we can celebrate the sacraments, pass on the faith to our children, and offer works of mercy to those individuals in need. This challenge will require us to put aside our personal preferences and work together for the good of the whole diocese and the future of our beloved Church.
Please join me, too, in praying for the survivors of clergy sexual abuse and their continued healing. My prayer is that all Catholics in the Diocese of Oakland live our lives as true witnesses of the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
You, the priests, and the people of our Diocese are generous, faithful, and full of good will. Thank you for your continual support for Christ and His Church.
Wishing you every grace and blessing,
The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, S.J.
Bishop of Oakland
May 8, 2023
Dear parishioners and friends of the Diocese of Oakland,
On March 16, I wrote to you about the impact on our diocese of a state law (AB 218), which allowed time barred or expired claims of child sexual abuse to be filed by alleged survivors.
Today, I am informing you, after considerable consultation and much prayer, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland (RCBO) has filed for bankruptcy.
Let me begin by telling you why we made this filing and what it means.
We made the filing because we believe this process is the best way to support a compassionate and equitable outcome for survivors of abuse, while ensuring we continue to provide the essential services and support so crucial to our parishioners and communities.
Our mission will continue as it always has. Our schools will not be impacted, nor, for example, will Catholic Charities, St Vincent de Paul Society, or Catholic Cemeteries. Employees will be paid as usual, and their benefit programs will continue uninterrupted.
Our parishes will also continue to celebrate Mass and other sacraments, and provide religious education. We will continue our charitable work for the poor. And we will continue our commitment to provide a safe, healthy and holy environment for our children and vulnerable adults.
I am deeply grateful for everything you do to ensure the Church’s mission continues, including the time, talent and treasure you offer to these ministries. Your support of your parish and the Bishop’s Ministries Appeal allow us to continue to answer Christ’s call to be missionary disciples. I reassure you contributions made to the Bishop's Ministries Appeal are restricted for use by the stated ministries, not for settling creditor claims.
While the filing will have a direct impact on our Mission Alignment Process, it will not divert us from our mission. With God’s grace and our unified commitment, I am confident we will be able to continue our work to re-align our resources to meet the needs of our diocese, while addressing claims coming through the bankruptcy process.
Even though the statute of limitations window closed December 31, 2022, claims received prior to that date are still being processed and we are still receiving notification of those claims. As of today, we have more than 330 claims. A great majority of the alleged abuse occurred between 1960 and 1989. Since then, the diocese has put in place robust safeguards to protect children and vulnerable adults including background checks and training about the nature of child sexual abuse, how it is perpetrated, how to report it, and strategies for prevention.
We know the pain inflicted against our children and young people decades ago continues to cause great suffering. I am deeply sorrowful about this reality and pray daily for all impacted. As Pope Benedict XVI reminds us, there is sin and evil in the world, even in our Church. But there is also virtue and mercy in abundance. We must address the sin and move forward as instruments of God’s mercy and holiness.
An important way for us to be these instruments is to unite as Catholics and engage the results of our Mission Alignment Process, moving forward as good and wise stewards in the best use the gifts God has provided us.
Tomorrow, May 9, I am meeting with all the pastors of the diocese to discuss the Mission Alignment Process and the impact our bankruptcy filing will have on our implementation.
We are committed to addressing the current reality in our diocese, a reality happening not just here, but throughout North America and in many Christian denominations. It is a dual challenge of declining engagement by Catholics and a decline in priestly and religious vocations, resulting in underutilized parish facilities. In our diocese, for example, we have 25% fewer priests than we had in 1985, and we have seen Mass attendance drop precipitously, almost in half, since 2010. It is essential we focus on our mission to serve people, not on maintenance of structures which no longer serve our mission.
I ask for your commitment to work with me and our pastors in the upcoming months as we determine how best to address the outcome of the bankruptcy process and how to “right size” our parishes to serve the faithful and all who come to us seeking Christ’s tender love. This effort will require us to close some of our worship sites and re-imagine how we use other locations. All will be impacted by these changes; yet I promise all will be able to be part of a faith community where we can celebrate the sacraments, pass on the faith to our children, and offer works of mercy to those individuals in need. We will all be challenged to put aside our personal preferences and work together for the good of the whole community and the future of our beloved Church.
Please join me, too, in praying for the survivors of clergy sexual abuse and their continued healing. My prayer is that all us Catholics in the Diocese of Oakland live our lives as true witnesses of the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
You, the priests and people of our diocese are generous, faithful and full of good will. Thank you for your continual support for Christ and His Church.
Wishing you every grace and blessing,
Most Rev. Michael C. Barber, SJ
Bishop of Oakland
What is Chapter 11?
Chapter 11 is a legal mechanism for court-supervised reorganization or restructuring of an organization’s obligations. Chapter 11 provides a way for an organization to address its financial condition in order to remain a viable entity, while continuing day-to-day operations.
Why did the Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland (RCBO) file for Chapter 11?
The Diocese believes this is the best way to ensure a fair and equitable outcome for all survivors of clergy sex abuse and provide just compensation to the innocent people who were harmed while allowing the Diocese to stabilize its finances and continue its sacred mission entrusted to it by Christ. With its current financial resources, RCBO could not shoulder the burden of litigating 330 cases filed under the recent California Assembly Bill 218, which allowed otherwise time barred or expired claims for child sexual abuse. Now that it has filed, RCBO can work toward a settlement with survivors while maintaining its mission.
What entities are included in the Chapter 11 filing?
RCBO is the only entity included in the filing. Because parishes are part of the corporate structure of The Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland, they are part of the filing. All Catholic schools that operate in the diocese are part of separate legal entities and therefore are not included in the filing. Similarly, other entities affiliated with RCBO based on common missions, such as Catholic Charities East Bay and Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services, are also not included in the filing.
While parishes are included in the filing, all services, regular programs, and charitable activities will continue uninterrupted.
Why choose bankruptcy?
We hope this choice will establish a single process to compensate all survivors. Chapter 11 is a court-supervised and transparent process that allows for the evaluation of the merits of each claim and gives claimants a say in the outcome and visibility into the proceeding and RCBO’s finances. We believe this offers the best opportunity for equitable settlements for all survivors.
Why have so many claims been filed against the Diocese of Oakland?
Assembly Bill 218, which opened a three-year period from January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2022, allowing parties alleging sexual abuse to file lawsuits against entities regardless of when the sexual abuse is alleged to have occurred, resulted in 330 lawsuits filed against the RCBO by the end of the open filing period.
In an effort to ensure the available financial resources could be distributed fairly and equitably among the survivors and help RCBO mitigate the increasing litigation expenses to preserve more assets for settlement of claims, the Diocese filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 in May 2023.
As part of the Chapter 11 process, any additional potential claims have been solicited by the diocese to ensure that all claims have been identified. The diocese received additional claims of alleged sexual abuse by the Bar Date or deadline for all claims in the case.
At this time, the number of timely filed claims against the diocese is 407.
Is bankruptcy a way to minimize your financial responsibilities to the victims?
No. The diocese filed bankruptcy to ensure that all survivors could be compensated fairly and equitably. Separate litigation for all 407 timely filed claims would have exceeded our resources. The filing will prevent parties who filed first and were able to resolve their litigation before others from having an unfair advantage over claimants who had their cases heard later. Chapter 11 allows all claimants equal access and an equitable share in the assets available to pay claims. It is a court-supervised, transparent process that allows for evaluation of the merits of each claim and gives claimants a say in the outcome and visibility into the proceedings and RCBO’s finances. This action allows the RCBO to address these matters in a comprehensive manner and move forward with its essential services and its mission as the Catholic Church in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
What happens to the lawsuits that have been filed against the Diocese?
The Chapter 11 filing triggers a "stay" that essentially freezes all litigation against RCBO. RCBO will work with all survivors, through the Chapter 11 process, to finalize a settlement of the litigation claims. The claims and settlement will be part of RCBO’s Plan of Reorganization and must be approved by the Court before RCBO can emerge from bankruptcy.
What does a bankruptcy mean for sexual abuse survivors?
Instead of litigating claims through the state courts, all claims are moved into a bankruptcy court. There, a process would allow survivors of sexual abuse, as well as all other creditors of the Diocese of Oakland, to file claims against the Diocese. Claimants are typically represented by an official committee appointed by the United States Trustee. The Diocese will work with the committee to identify assets available to pay claims and recommend how those assets would be distributed among all claimants. The proposal would be contained in a Plan of Reorganization, on which all sexual abuse claimants will be able to vote to approve or reject. Once the bankruptcy court approves the plan, payments would be made pursuant to the plan and the Diocese would exit bankruptcy.
Does the Diocese have enough money to continue operating?
RCBO believes its current and future liquidity will be sufficient to fund normal operations and services during the restructuring process and beyond. Employees will be paid their normal wages, and benefits will continue uninterrupted. Vendors will be paid for all goods and services delivered after the filing.
Will the programs and ministries of the diocese, such as marriage preparation, Latino ministries, CYO sports and others, continue uninterrupted?
Yes. We recognize these are vital programs for our parishioners and the people of our communities and will continue to provide these essential ministries.
Is there a chance the Diocese will close any of the Catholic schools as a result of the Chapter 11 filing?
The operational decisions of the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Oakland will continue to be made by the separate legal entities and based on sound business judgement. There are no plans to close schools as a result of the Chapter 11 filing.
How much is this all going to cost?
While we don’t know today how much money will be needed to fund the Chapter 11 process, we do believe that we will be able to reach a fair and equitable outcome for all survivors and provide just compensation to the innocent people who were harmed, while allowing the Diocese to stabilize its finances and continue its sacred mission entrusted to it by Christ.
How long will the Diocese be in Chapter 11?
RCBO will work to emerge from Chapter 11 as quickly as possible. Given the seriousness of this situation and the importance of providing survivors with fair and equitable compensation, we cannot give a definitive end date at this time.
Have other dioceses filed and come out of Chapter 11?
Yes. More than two dozen U.S. dioceses have filed for Chapter 11, including most recently the Diocese of Santa Rosa. All diocesan filings were driven at least in part because of clergy sexual abuse. For those 15 dioceses that have completed their bankruptcies, all have been able to successfully emerge or had their cases dismissed.
How does this impact the Mission Alignment Process (MAP)?
The tremendous effort accomplished so far in the Mission Alignment Process will be utilized extensively as part of the Diocese’s reorganization. While the implementation of MAP will be impacted by the current claims, it is essential we move forward with MAP, so every Catholic has a home in a vibrant, Christ-centered parish in our Diocese.
Will my gifts to the Bishop’s Ministries Appeal be used to pay for legal settlements?
No. Gifts to the Bishop's Ministries Appeal, as well as other gifts received for specific purposes, are held in trust by RCBO and can only be used for their intended purpose. Please continue to support your parish and the Bishop’s Ministries Appeal so our parishes and Diocese can continue their many good works.
What is the Diocese doing to make sure this never happens again?
Although the magnitude of claims is horrific, we believe the hard work we have been doing in the last 30 years has been effective in safeguarding our children and vulnerable adults. All who minister in our Diocese – clergy, volunteers and employees – are educated about the nature of child sexual abuse, how it is perpetrated, how to report it, and strategies for prevention. We have thousands of people who are vigilant about keeping our parishes and schools safe and holy places. Our screening of all clergy, volunteers and employees has provided an additional safeguard. Finally, curriculum in our schools, religious formation and youth programs teach children and youth effective ways to stop predators.
The needs of survivors of clergy sexual abuse have been a priority of our Diocese for at least 30 years. Bishop John Cummins formed a Sensitive Issues Committee in 1993 to assist him in addressing allegations of sexual abuse by persons acting in the name of the Church. After the U.S. bishops approved the ground-breaking Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (the “Dallas Charter”) in June 2002, the Sensitive Issues Committee was renamed the Diocesan Review Board in 2003.
Today, the Diocesan Minor Review Board meets at least quarterly to assess allegations and make recommendations to Bishop Barber on the handling of allegations of sexual abuse of children by clergy.
Through the Diocese’s Office of Victims Assistance, which monitors a hotline 24/7, counseling and support is provided to survivors of clergy sexual abuse and their families. The Ministry for Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse was established from a dialogue between survivors and church leadership. Our ministry includes survivors of clergy sexual abuse, working together with members of the clergy who are willing to open themselves to the devastating experience of what it means to be sexually abused by a priest or member of the Church. Together, hand in hand, we work as advocates for victims to bring support, empowerment, and hope to lives tragically altered by the debilitating legacy of clergy sexual abuse.
Can I speak with someone about how sexual abuse is affecting me?
All are encouraged to use our survivor advocacy hotline, 510-267-8373 or survivors@oakdiocese.org. We can connect you with resources specific to your concerns.
What can I do, as a parishioner?
Please pray daily for all who have been harmed by sexual abuse, especially those individuals who suffered from people who represented our Church, whether clergy, religious or lay.
Secondly, please do everything you can to ensure these terrible acts cannot happen again. Even if you are not an active volunteer or employee, consider taking part in our Virtus Safe Environment training. Talk with your children about what grooming could look like and let them know they can tell you anything that concerns them.
As Pope Benedict XVI wrote so eloquently, “Jesus Himself compared the Church to a fishing net in which good and bad fish are ultimately separated by God Himself. … Yes, there is sin in the Church and evil. But even today there is the Holy Church, which is indestructible. Today there are many people who humbly believe, suffer, and love in whom the real God, the loving God, shows Himself to us. Today God also has His witnesses in the world.” (Benedict XVI, “The Church and the scandal of sexual abuse”).
Bishop Barber has said, “My prayer is that all Christians in the Diocese of Oakland live our lives as true witnesses of the love and mercy of Jesus Christ to the world and protecting from harm all who come to us looking for the love of God.”
Where can I find Chapter 11 case information?
TRCBO has also set up a toll-free information line for inquiries at 888-733-1425 (U.S./Canada) or 310-751-2631 (International). For access to certain court documents and other information about our Chapter 11 case, please visit https://www.kccllc.net/RCBO.
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland Files for Chapter 11 to Facilitate Settlements with Abuse Survivors
Catholic Schools, Related Organizations and Ministries are Not Included in the Filing
OAKLAND, CA, May 8, 2023--The Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland (“RCBO”) (www.oakdiocese.org) announced today the filing of a voluntary petition for bankruptcy relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The filing is necessary in light of the more than 330 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse brought against RCBO under a recent California statute that allowed decades-old claims otherwise time barred and expired to be filed.
All Catholic schools that operate in the diocese are part of separate legal entities and therefore not included in the filing. They will continue to operate as normal. The mission and ministries of RCBO also will continue during the restructuring process and beyond. Employees will be paid as usual, and their benefit programs will continue uninterrupted. Vendors will be paid for all goods and services delivered after the filing.
RCBO will continue to serve the 550,000 Catholics in the East Bay and carry out its many works of mercy through its parishes and pastoral centers.
Most of the claims brought under the most recent California statute stem from allegations of sexual abuse that occurred in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s by priests who are no longer active in ministry and/or deceased. Chapter 11 is a court-supervised, transparent process that allows for the evaluation of the merits of each claim and gives claimants a say in the outcome and visibility into the proceedings and RCBO’s finances. With the Chapter 11 filing, legal actions against RCBO will stop, allowing RCBO to develop a plan of reorganization, based on assets and insurance coverage available to be used to settle claims with abuse survivors.
“After careful consideration of the various alternatives for providing just compensation to innocent people who were harmed, we believe this process is the best way to ensure a fair and equitable outcome for survivors. It will also allow RCBO to stabilize its finances and continue the sacred mission entrusted to us by Christ and the Church,” said Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ. “Given our current financial resources, RCBO could not shoulder the burden of litigating 330 cases filed under the recent California Assembly Bill 218.”
“It is important we take responsibility for the damage done so we can all move beyond this moment and provide survivors with some measure of peace,” he said. “Sadly, for many, the pain caused by these horrific sins, no matter when they occurred, will never wash away, which is why we offer support to survivors and pray for their continued healing.”
RCBO has taken exhaustive steps to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. Ten years before the U.S. bishops approved the groundbreaking Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2002, RCBO established what today is known as the Minor Diocesan Review Board, comprised over the years of such individuals as prosecutors, educators, social workers, therapists, and survivors. Its mandate is to assess allegations of sexual abuse involving children and vulnerable adults brought against a diocesan cleric. The independent, confidential body also advises the bishop in determining the suitability for ministry of accused priests or deacons.
Through the Diocesan Office of Victims Assistance, counseling and support is provided to survivors of clergy abuse and their families. To safeguard children and vulnerable adults, all clergy, volunteers, and employees of the Diocesan entities are required to participate in training about the nature of child sexual abuse, how it is perpetrated, how to report it, and strategies for prevention. To provide additional safeguards, clergy, volunteers, and employees undergo background checks before they can be of service. RCBO and affiliated Diocesan entities are the largest employer group to participate in the Live Scan finger printing program for all clergy, employees, and volunteers in the East Bay.
The Chapter 11 filing comes at a time when dioceses nationwide face the challenge of declining participation of Catholics, an aging and decreasing clergy, and underutilized parish facilities. For instance, in Oakland, Mass attendance dropped 42% in 2021 from 2019 due to the pandemic and was off 46% from the five-year average. To align the needs of the ministries, parishioners, and priests with the financial realities, Bishop Barber in March 2021 appointed a task force comprised of laity and clergy called the Mission Alignment Process (MAP) Commission to make recommendations for addressing these challenges. Their efforts are ongoing and expected to take several years to implement but have already resulted in a recent merger of parishes.
This is the second time California has allowed time barred or expired cases of child sexual abuse to be filed by alleged survivors. In 2003, California created a similar window. At that time, RCBO resolved the 52 lawsuits filed against it using insurance funds, selling property, and securing loans.
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland Chapter 11 case has been filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California. Additional general information can be found on the Diocesan website at oakdiocese.org and court-related information can be found at https://www.kccllc.net/RCBO.
The Diocese of Oakland serves two counties in the East Bay region, Alameda and Contra Costa, and includes approximately 550,000 Catholics in 82 parishes.
Our Commitment
"I renew our offer of counseling, therapy, support and outreach to survivors. The Diocese has worked with survivors of sexual abuse since the 1990s. ... I have met with survivors personally. I have seen and heard their pain. I have witnessed the damage abusers have committed. ... I pray the public acknowledgement of the sinful actions on the part of some priests will help many of us to find healing and hope, to restore our trust in the Church, and to repair the damage caused to the reputation of so many good priests. The needs of victims and survivors, and the protection of children and vulnerable adults is our first priority."
Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ
Have Questions?
Please contact the Cathedral Parish office with questions.