PHOENIX (CNS) — The nationwide province of the Crosier Fathers and Brothers based in Phoenix filed June 1 to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
“Given the number of claimants who came forward when the state of Minnesota opened the statute of limitations for asserting claims of sexual abuse, we believe a Chapter 11 reorganization is the only way that all claimants can be offered a fair and just resolution within the Crosiers’ limited financial resources,” said a June 1 statement from Crosier Father Thomas Enneking, prior provincial.
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Since the clerical sexual abuse scandal erupted 15 years ago, several dioceses have filed for Chapter 11 to address abuse claims. The Crosiers community is only the second men’s religious order to have sought bankruptcy protection. The Oregon province of the Jesuits filed in 2009 to reorganize its assets in the wake of abuse claims.
“All of the acts of abuse occurred more than 30 years ago. The Crosiers have attempted to find pastoral and healing solutions for those who were harmed, and we believe that a Chapter 11 reorganization allows us to resolve known pending claims simultaneously, manage our financial resources and continue to serve those in need through Crosier ministries,” Father Enneking said.
There are 46 Crosiers serving in the United States.
An announcement by the Crosiers about the bankruptcy said the order had been able to work with claimants — the number of which was not given — on a structure that will include funding for an agreed-upon reorganization plan of $25.5 million to compensate those who had been harmed.
“Our hope is that reorganization under Chapter 11 will begin to bring this sad period in the Crosiers’ history to a just resolution,” Father Enneking said.
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