The Roman Catholic Bishop of Sacramento (also referred to as the “RCBS,” the “Diocese of Sacramento” or simply the “Diocese“) filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 1, 2024.  In its initial case filings, the Diocese explained that:

“The RCBS enters chapter 11 as a further step toward fulfilling its moral obligation to try to compensate all Abuse survivors fairly and within a reasonable amount of time. … The RCBS intends to negotiate a plan of reorganization as early as possible which will: (a) allocate fair compensation among the legitimately competing interests for [RCBS’s assets]; (b) provide a process to fully, fairly and expeditiously resolve claims of Abuse survivors; and (c) permit the RCBS to carry on the RCBS’s essential ministries and services so the RCBS can continue to meet the needs of the Non-Debtor Catholic Entities, parishioners, and others who rely on the RCBS’s ministry, education, and charitable outreach.”

The Diocese estimated that at the time it filed for bankruptcy it had less than 1,000 creditors.  Its total assets had an estimated value between $100 million and $500 million, and its total liabilities also had an estimated value of $100 million to $500 million.