SAN DIEGO — Survivors of sex abuse in the Catholic church called out the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego after it filed for bankruptcy in federal court today.
Reaction came in response to the diocese's need to pay out more than $500 million in claims from people who say they were sexually abused.
“Sheer and utter disappointment, this is the second time that they are now trying to use the bankruptcy system to silence survivors, to make sure that their crimes stay hidden,” said Joelle Casteix, a sex abuse survivor.
The Catholic Diocese of San Diego officially filed for bankruptcy in the wake of the legal claims filed by alleged sex abuse survivors. One victim says that this does nothing to stop future abuse in the church.
On the front steps of the federal courthouse where the diocese filed for bankruptcy, were rows of signs protesting the reason for the move. The church says it is to compensate sex abuse survivors.
“We worked a long time to get the law changed that survivors could use the civil courts to expose what happened to them, and by declaring bankruptcy, the Diocese is just saying that they’re more important than the law,” said Casteix.
Casteix is not part of the latest 450 claims that will be paid out, but Casteix says in 2005 she settled with the Diocese in Orange.
“I was sexually abused as a student at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana and it changed the trajectory of my life,” said Casteix.
She is part of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) and continues to be outspoken about misconduct in the church and the latest move to file for bankruptcy.
“Nobody fought for me. Nobody stood up for me, and so now I fight and stand up for other kids and other adults who just don’t have the voice to do it,” said Casteix.
The bankruptcy was not a surprise. In 2019 the state legislature once again lifted the statute of limitations for a three-year period, following for more abuse victims to file claims.
In 2023, the church announced the it could consider bankruptcy to address the legal claims.
Cardinal Robert McElroy sent a letter last week making it official.
He says parishes and schools would not be impacted but would have to contribute to the lawsuit settlements which is estimated to cost $550 million.
“We realized this was the only way that we could, in fact, have a just and equitable settlement with the survivors of abuse, as well as to carry on our responsibility to the schools and services that people depend on the church for,” said Kevin Eckery, Catholic Diocese of San Diego, spokesperson.
Throughout the controversy, the church claims it has made changes to better protect children in the church.
“There was a change in culture. Everyone who is affiliated with the diocese is a mandatory reporter, whether the law says so or not so that we’re constantly on guard to make sure that this doesn’t happen again,” said Eckery.
SNAP fears this bankruptcy will silence survivors but not them. They hope that amplifying their voice encourages potential victims to come forward.
“It is so safe to come forward and talk about abuse, to talk about what happened to you,” said Casteix. “Conversation is a predator’s number one enemy.”
The attorneys for the Diocese sent CBS 8 a statement that said,
The Diocese of San Diego’s decision to file for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy demonstrates the Bishop’s priority of secrecy and self-protection,” said Jeff Anderson. “What the Bishop continues to underestimate is the strength and resilience of the survivors who will not be denied justice.
The Diocese of San Diego is the fifth diocese to file for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in California following the close of the Child Victims Act on December 31, 2022. The Diocese of Sacramento (4.1.2024), the Diocese of Santa Rosa (3.13.2023), the Diocese of Oakland (5.8.2023), and the Archdiocese of San Francisco (8.21.23) have already filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in the wake of child sexual abuse lawsuits. The Diocese of Fresno is expected to file for bankruptcy in the coming months.
WATCH RELATED: San Diego Roman Catholic Diocese to file Chapter 11 Bankruptcy