Yahoo News: Judge Orders Release of San Francisco Archdiocese Sexual Abuse Data

By Yahoo News, Staff, (Complicit Clergy), March 29, 2025

For the first time ever, over the objections of the Debtor, the Judge in a Diocesan bankruptcy has mandated the disclosure of meeting minutes prepared by the Debtor’s Independent Review Board (the “IRB Minutes”) and anonymous claims data (the “Claims Data”) aggregated from proofs of claim submitted by Survivors of childhood sexual abuse (“Survivors”). The case is In re THE ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF SAN FRANCISCO and the committee is represented by law firm Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones (“PSZJ”).

Judge Dennis Montali soundly rejected arguments that there was no bankruptcy purpose for the disclosure motion. Focusing on the bankruptcy court’s unique role and the importance of nonmonetary commitments to Survivors, Judge Montali noted that there are “hundreds of claims alleging clergy abuse, all of which have been yanked out of traditional state courts and have been thrust into this bankruptcy court, at the Archbishop’s behest.” He further reasoned that a consensual plan is only possible when all parties feel that the process is fair and, in this case, disclosure may assist mediation efforts.

“The Motion serves a clear bankruptcy purpose, and an argument that no such purpose exists, from the very Debtor who brought these claims and discovery into this court, is not credible and is rejected,” Judge Montali added.

“Judge Montali’s decision represents an important victory not just for the Archdiocese of San Francisco Survivors but for all Survivors and Catholic communities around the world,” said Margie O’Driscoll, co-chair of the Survivors’ committee. “This decision sets a precedent for all Dioceses to be held accountable for protecting children today and tomorrow and to provide transparency for the children they did not protect in the past.”

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