(Oakland, CA) – Yesterday, the Diocese of Oakland, in coordination with some of its insurance carriers, filed a term sheet with proposed settlement terms that was not submitted by the official committee of the abuse survivors.

“This is yet another attempt to sideline survivors’ voices and shield the Diocese of Oakland and its insurance carriers from true accountability,” said Jeff Anderson. “The Bishop is once again relying on a predictable strategy: suppress survivors in an attempt to escape the scrutiny and accountability they deserve.”

This is not the first time the Diocese of Oakland has attempted to undervalue survivors’ claims and complete a deal behind closed doors. Following the Diocese’s announcement that it would file for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy after being identified in hundreds of lawsuits filed under the California Child Victims Act, the Diocese attempted to file a plan in 2024 without input from the survivors, which significantly undervalued its assets.

“Bishop Barber is yet again toying with the survivors’ lives and continues to show that the survivors’ needs are not his priority,” said Jeff Anderson. “The Bishop’s actions are treacherous and oppressive.”