PHOENIX (CNS) — The Phoenix-based nationwide province of the Crosier Fathers and Brothers has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy after U.S. bankruptcy Judge confirmed the order’s plan for reorganization.
The bankruptcy, filed last June, was in large part because of expected payments to survivors of sexual abuse by a few members of the order more than three decades ago.
As part of the reorganization plan, the Crosiers, the survivors and insurance companies worked jointly on a plan for a $25.5 million fund to compensate victims harmed by some Crosiers. The figure had been proposed as a prospective remedy at the time of the bankruptcy filing last year.
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The cost of the fund is being borne primarily through insurance coverage, although some of it will come from the Crosiers’ own financial resources.
“We are grateful to all who worked with us to reach a fair and equitable resolution for the survivors,” said a March 22 statement by Crosier Father Tom Enneking, prior provincial of the order’s U.S. province. “Our goal throughout this process has been to bring healing and reconciliation for the survivors who were hurt by the actions of a few Crosiers more than 30 years ago.”
“I would like to again deeply and profoundly apologize for the pain and sorrow the survivors have endured,” Father Enneking added. “We ask everyone to continue praying with us for all survivors. May they experience the healing and peace of heart they long for.”
There are about 350 Crosiers serving worldwide, but at the time of last year’s filing, only 46 of them were based in the United States.
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