Background

The Diocese of Fresno (the “Diocese”) filed for bankruptcy on July 1, 2025, in the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California. At the start of the bankruptcy case, a committee of seven survivors with claims in the bankruptcy was appointed, called the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the “Committee”), to advocate on behalf of all survivors that file claims in the Diocese of Fresno’s bankruptcy case.

Committee Professionals

The Committee has sought and obtained Court approval to employ various professionals to assist the Committee in its work for survivors. Those professionals, and the role each plays, is summarized below:

1. Stinson LLP is the Committee’s lead bankruptcy law firm and has experience representing survivor committees in more than 15 bankruptcy cases filed by the Catholic Church entities. Fennemore LLP is the Committee’s local bankruptcy counsel and has experience and familiarity with practicing in the California bankruptcy courts.
2. Burns Bair LLP serves as the Committee’s special insurance counsel. Burns Bair LLP will assist the Committee by providing analysis regarding the scope of the Diocese’s insurance assets and legal expertise for any issues that need to be litigated with the Diocese’s insurers.
3. FTI serves as the Committee’s financial advisor. FTI will review the Diocese’s financial position, including the financial documents the Diocese has filed with the Court and will produce to the Committee. FTI will investigate the Diocese’s assets, assist the Committee with recovering assets for the benefit of survivors, and advise the Committee on the scope of assets that should be part of a settlement with survivors.
4. Stout Risius Ross LLC serves as the Committee’s claims valuation and real estate expert. Stout will evaluate the claims filed by survivors to support the Committee’s positions in settlement negotiations with the Diocese and its insurers. Stout will also evaluate the Diocese’s real property assets to help the Committee determine the value of the Diocese’s real property. 

Each of these professionals will work together to provide the Committee with an understanding of the assets that are available to pay survivors and the services necessary to ensure recovery for survivors can be maximized. The Committee, in connection with its bankruptcy counsel and attorneys representing survivors, will also be focused on ensuring the Diocese adopts protocols designed to provide transparency regarding the Diocese’s involvement in the sexual abuse of survivors and to protect children in the future.

Claims Bar Date

The deadline to file a claim in the bankruptcy case, also known as the “bar date,” occurred on February 2, 2026. One hundred and sixty-five (165) survivors filed a claim before the bar date. If you have questions about the status of your claim filing you should contact your attorney if you are represented, or if you aren’t represented you may email fresnosurvivorteam@stinson.com with questions.  Please know that Stinson may answer general bankruptcy procedure questions but not advise you on your individual case.

Mediation

Now that the bar date has passed, the case will move into a mediation phase. Mediation is a negotiation process, conducted out of court, designed to produce a settlement between the Committee, the Diocese, and the Diocese’s insurers. Typically, a neutral party, like a judge from another court or an attorney with no connection to the case, will act as a mediator to assist the parties’ efforts to reach a settlement. The Committee is currently working with the Diocese to identify a mediator and expects the mediation to begin in earnest in the coming months.   Mediation follows strict rules of confidentiality.  When any information may become public the Official Committee will post it to this website but normally there will be few if any details shared during mediation until any agreements are reached.

What to Expect Moving Forward

Diocesan bankruptcy cases typically go through several phases that take a great deal of time.  For a discussion of the bankruptcy process please check this link.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Committee’s legal counsel Stinson LLP by emailing fresnosurvivorteam@stinson.com

Updates from the Committee will be posted on the Committee’s website at: www.fresnosurvivors.com when possible.

An important component of the bankruptcy process is mediation. It can also be a frustrating time for Survivors because little can be reported publicly. The following is intended to help Survivors understand the process.

Who participates in mediation?

In this case, the parties in mediation will be the Survivor Committee, the Diocese of Fresno and its parishes and schools, and all insurance companies with policies that cover Survivor claims against the Diocese of Fresno. A mediator will oversee the process and attempt to help the parties find common ground.

How often does mediation occur?

Mediation is typically scheduled throughout bankruptcy until a settlement is reached.

What is negotiated?

The Committee, the Diocese, and the insurers try to figure out how much each party should pay to fund Survivor claims. The Committee will also do everything they can to enhance and strengthen the existing child protection policies and practices within the Diocese of Fresno.  

Is mediation “binding”?

It is not. The mediator attempts to bring the parties together to reach an agreement. If parties reach an agreement, it will then become part of a settlement and those details will ultimately be shared publicly and Survivors will have a chance to vote on them.

Can Survivors find out what the parties are saying in mediation?

Mediation requires very strict rules of confidentiality. The bankruptcy court wants all of the parties to speak as freely as possible during negotiations so they can find an agreement as quickly as possible. If parties are worried that the things they say in mediation will become public, they will not be direct with one another. The Survivor Committee relies on the experience of its legal representatives, and its financial and insurance professionals, to negotiate for Survivors.

How do we know mediation is making progress?

Very often, it is impossible for the Committee to share anything about what is happening in mediation with Survivor claimants. Whenever the Official Committee is able to share information about the case, including any developments in negotiations, it will do so via the website.

Should the fact that parties are participating in mediation be taken as a positive sign that a settlement is near?

The fact that the parties are meeting and negotiating is always a good thing, but it is not necessarily a sign that settlement is imminent. Mediation is a normal part of the bankruptcy process and, because the issues involved are so large and complicated, mediation can take a surprisingly long time to play out before any settlement is reached.

If I have more questions, who should I speak to?

If you have additional questions about the bankruptcy and your individual case you should communicate with your attorney.  General questions about the bankruptcy process can be sent to the Official Committee of Survivor’s legal counsel Stinson LLP by emailing Fresnosurvivorteam@stinson.com.

For most Survivors, the bankruptcy process is completely new and sometimes confusing.  This website will be updated as the bankruptcy progresses with information that may be shared publicly.  If you are a Survivor and have questions about your individual case, you should communicate with your attorney if you are represented.  Stinson LLP, the Official Committee of Survivors’ legal counsel in this bankruptcy may not provide individual legal advice.  However, Stinson may help explain the bankruptcy process in general and provide assistance in certain circumstances.  Please do not hesitate to email Stinson via fresnosurvivorteam@stinson.com.  Your questions and comments are important, treated confidentially, and all correspondence will receive a reply. 

The deadline to file claims in The Roman Catholic Bishop of Fresno bankruptcy is February 2, 2026. Instructions for filing the Confidential Proof of Claim form and the Survivor Supplement can be found on the Donlin Recano website: https://bankruptcy.angeiongroup.com/Clients/rcbf/Static/SurvivorClaims.

Survivors involved with the Archdiocese of New York and Archdiocese of New Orleans have seen important developments recently.  

In New York, the Archdiocese has announced it enter a formal negotiation process with attorneys for Survivors and commit at least $300 million to compensate the 1,300 victims of sexual abuse with claims pending against the church. Additional information may be found here.  

In New Orleans, Survivors and the Archdiocese reached a settlement of $230 million, approved by the bankruptcy court, to address the claims of approximately 600 Survivors who have been a part of this bankruptcy since it was filed in May of 2020. Further information about the New Orleans case can be found here. 

Both of these developments point to the recognition that significant financial settlements are appropriate to address the harm that Survivors have endured during their lifetime.  While every bankruptcy proceeding is unique, these are positive developments for Survivors.  If you have legal representation and questions related to your case, you should direct them to your attorney.  If you have questions about the bankruptcy process in general, you may email Stinson LLP via fresnosurvivorteam@stinson.com.  Every message will receive a response.

Protective Order Approved

On December 4, 2025, Judge Lastreto approved an order that establishes procedures for the handling of confidential information exchanged between the Committee and Diocese. The Committee and Diocese jointly requested approval of the order. Now that the order has been entered, the Diocese will begin sharing information with the Committee that will be critical to the parties’ mediation efforts.  From the committee’s perspective, all available, reasonable steps have been taken to assure that the personal information of Survivor claimants will not become public.

Proof of Claim Deadline Set for February 2, 2026

The Committee writes to inform survivors that Judge Lastreto has fixed February 2, 2026 as the deadline for survivors to submit a claim in the Diocese of Fresno bankruptcy case. Judge Lastreto also approved the survivor claim forms, claim filing procedures, confidentiality protocols, and the form of notice that will be provided to survivors. The Committee was involved with ensuring that the claim submission process is fair to survivors, including successfully opposing requests by insurance companies designed to make the claim submission process more burdensome on survivors.

More information regarding the claim filing process is available at: Survivor Claims Bar Date Information – February 2, 2026 Deadline to File Claims – The Roman Catholic Bishop of Fresno  Survivors who are represented should consult with their attorneys regarding the claim submission process.  

FTI Consulting Employed as Committee’s Financial Advisor

On November 10, 2025, Judge Lastreto granted the Committee’s request to employ FTI Consulting (“FTI”) as the Committee’s financial advisor. FTI is authorized to assist the Committee with analyzing the Diocese’s financial condition in connection with the Committee’s mediation and litigation efforts throughout the case. FTI’s analysis will provide critical insight into the scope of the Diocese’s assets and its ability to fairly compensate survivors.

The Official Committee of Survivors of Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Fresno bankruptcy has been extensively involved in all facets of the bankruptcy.  The following is a summary of recent events. 

1. The Court granted Fennemore’s employment application to represent the Committee with the Stinson team. The Fennemore firm will complement Stinson’s extensive experience with diocese bankruptcy by providing local expertise.  Jackson Waste at Fennemore is our local Fresno-based counsel. We look forward to continuing to work with Jackson and his team and appreciate all their work so far.
2. The United States Trustee concluded the initial Meeting of Creditors. The Committee’s Attorneys completed the questioning of the Diocese’s Chief Financial Officer regarding the financial information included in the Debtor’s bankruptcy schedules. We will be following up with the Debtor with an informal document request for various financial and organizational documents that the Debtor discussed during the meeting.  This will ensure that the Committee has the best possible understanding of all the Diocese’s assets that may be available to Survivors.

The Committee will continue to update this website as its able.  If you have any specific questions or comments related to the bankruptcy process feel free to reach out via fresnosurvivors@stinson.com.  Questions about the specifics of your claim should be directed to your attorney if you are represented.

Dear Survivors, those supporting Survivors, and others interested in the Roman Catholic Bishop of Fresno bankruptcy case:

On behalf of the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (the “Survivors’ Committee”), welcome to the Fresno Survivors’ webpage. We, the Survivors Committee, were appointed by the US Trustee’s Office to advocate on behalf of all Survivors of abuse within the Diocese of Fresno.

The Survivors Committee is made up of seven Survivors of abuse related to this Diocese, whom represent a diversity of ages and genders. As Survivors ourselves, we understand the pain and trauma that other Survivors may be experiencing during this bankruptcy case. We understand that each Survivors’ journey is unique, and we empathize with each one of you as we navigate and process the trauma we have all experienced. Whether you are just beginning that journey or have been on it for many years, we are with you.   We have designed this website to help with the questions you may have about the bankruptcy case.

This website provides the following information regarding the bankruptcy case of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Fresno: 

• Overview of the bankruptcy process
• Diocesan Bankruptcy frequently asked questions (FAQ)
• News feed detailing case events and the Survivors’ Committee’s activities
• Mental health resources for Survivors

The website will be regularly updated over the course of the case. The Survivors’ Committee hopes Survivors find this information useful, and encourage any Survivors with questions to contact their personal attorneys or the Survivors’ Committee’s bankruptcy counsel, Stinson LLP. To contact Stinson LLP, you may email fresnosurvivorteam@stinson.com.