Judge Grants Relief from The Archdiocese of San Francisco Bankruptcy, Allowing Survivors’ Cases to Move Forward to Trial
“For too long the Archdiocese has used legal tactics to delay and deny – delay survivors from their day in court and deny the pain and trauma they’ve inflicted. Today is a critical step forward in delivering long-overdue justice.” – Jeff Anderson, attorney
(San Francisco, CA) – Yesterday, in the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of California, Judge Dennis Montali granted the Survivor Creditor Committee’s request for relief from the automatic stay that has halted all state court proceedings against the Archdiocese of San Francisco since August of 2023. The Archdiocese and its insurers heavily opposed this request, arguing that cases should not move toward trial.
In August 2023, the Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy on the eve of two cases going to trial in order to stop evidence of the Archdiocese’s decades of negligence from becoming publicly known. For 19 months, the Archdiocese has used the bankruptcy system to continue to hide the truth and stop survivors from exercising their right to a jury trial.
“Our client, a courageous survivor of the notorious Fr. Joseph Pritchard, whose horrific abuse could’ve been prevented by the Archdiocese, is ready to stand for truth and accountability. These delays are tragic and sad.” – Rick Simons, attorney
This decision, which will go into effect June 30, 2025, will allow these two cases to proceed to a trial in San Francisco County Superior Court where a jury will determine the Archdiocese’s liability for the sexual abuse of two survivors by notorious Archdiocese of San Francisco perpetrator Fr. Joseph Pritchard.
“The Archdiocese and Archbishop have stifled the voices of survivors for too long. This is a victory. These trials are long overdue – it’s time for survivors’ voices to be heard.” – Jeff Anderson