Oakland Diocese Seeks Bankruptcy Dismissal, Heads to Mediation

The Diocese of Oakland, Calif. will return to mediation with a committee representing nearly 350 child sex abuse claimants and insurance companies even as it moves to end its bankruptcy.

The agreement to resume settlement talks was announced Tuesday, shortly after the diocese told the US Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California that it has depleted the money it had to fund legal fees in bankruptcy. The diocese filed for Chapter 11 in 2023 to resolve widespread allegations of sex abuse by clergy members.

The diocese previously proposed a bankruptcy exit plan, but it’s been unable to reach ...