SAN FRANCISCO — The Archdiocese of San Francisco has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization and agreed to pay $395 million to settle lawsuits brought by survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This settlement resolves more than 500 claims.

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone announced the bankruptcy filing in a letter posted on the archdiocese's website. "Today, I am informing you that after much reflection, prayer, and consultation with our financial and legal advisors, the Archdiocese of San Francisco filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization," Cordileone said. "I remain committed to the healing and care of survivors who have suffered irreversible harm because of the sins of the Church's ministers and ask you to join me in praying for our Archdiocese, parish communities, schools, and all survivors of sexual abuse."

More than 500 civil lawsuits were filed against the Archdiocese under California state law AB-218. This 2019 law allows individuals to pursue claims for childhood sexual abuse that would otherwise be barred by the statute of limitations. The bankruptcy filing covers the legal entity "The Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco, a Corporation Sole," but does not include the archdiocese's parishes, schools, or other entities.

The archdiocese previously paid approximately $68 million to about 100 plaintiffs to settle claims filed under a 2002 state law. The current settlement also includes provisions designed to improve child safety and transparency. It requires more robust public disclosure of priests accused of abuse and mandates the placement of an abuse survivor on the Archdiocese review board that examines clergy abuse allegations.

Additionally, the agreement requires the release of survivors from existing nondisclosure agreements. Archbishop Cordileone must also turn over internal church records to an independent child protection consultant for a report to be published on the Archdiocese website. The Archdiocese stated in a press release that the settlement provides fair compensation to survivors.