California Franciscan Friars File Bankruptcy – Sex Abuse Lawsuits
The California Franciscan Friars filed for bankruptcy on the last day of 2023. The filing comes in the wake of dozens of sexual abuse lawsuits from victims. The organization filed bankruptcy in an attempt to ensure “just, equitable, and compassionate compensation for all abuse survivors,” the provincial minister of the Franciscan Friars said in a statement. According to reports, the organization has up to $50 million in assets at the time of the bankruptcy filing.
Who Are the California Franciscan Friars?
The Franciscans are a non-profit religious ministry and part of the Catholic community. They are members of the Order of Friars Minor, founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209. The Roman Catholic charitable organization provides outreach programs to local neighborhoods through the St. Anthony Foundation, including food, clothing, and addiction counseling. The St. Anthony Foundation is located in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco. St. Anthony House and others are not impacted by this bankruptcy filing.
What Are the Alleged Instances of Sexual Abuse?
The California Franciscan Friars are facing 94 lawsuits that allege child sexual abuse. Many of the allegations date back 27 years, with several dating as far back as the 1940s. While we don’t know the exact details of the lawsuits, it is important to know that child sexual abuse falls under the general category of molestation. It is illegal to engage in sexual acts with a minor under the age of 18. Some examples of child sexual abuse include lewd acts with a minor, oral copulation, unlawful sex with a minor, sexual acts with a child, and continuous sexual abuse of a minor.
If you or someone you know was a victim of child sexual abuse, please call a California child sexual abuse attorney at Beck Law P.C. today.
Who Are the Alleged Perpetrators?
The 94 child sexual abuse lawsuits name the California Franciscan Friars who were the alleged sexual abusers. Of those named, only six of them are still alive. The organization states that those who are still alive have all been “long-removed permanently from all public ministry and ministerial environments and are living under strict third-party supervision.” The organization itself is also named as a party to the lawsuits. That is likely because they knew or should have known about the abuse at the time but did not do anything to report it or to prevent future abuse from occurring.
Statement from the California Franciscan Friars
Fr. David Gaa, OFM, provincial minister of the Franciscan friars, stated, “ The care of abuse survivors is our foremost concern and has always been at the core of our response.” He added, “I am deeply saddened by the sinful acts committed and the damage caused to the abuse survivors-then only children-who put their trust in friars. No apology or any amount of financial compensation can reverse the harm, but perhaps abuse survivors will find some solace in knowing that we are acknowledging their pain and that they are important to us”. Unfortunately, survivors of child sexual abuse often suffer long into adulthood. They may have serious wounds, including psychological and emotional, that they deal with on an ongoing basis. Although the perpetrators will not face criminal charges, they will be held accountable for their actions and help to bring some type of justice to the victims. If you are a victim of child sexual abuse, we are here to help. Call our California child sexual abuse lawyer at Beck Law to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss the matter at (707) 576-7175 today.
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