Diocese record · California

Diocese of Oakland

The Diocese of Oakland filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2023 to address more than 330 childhood sexual abuse lawsuits brought under California's AB 218. Competing reorganization plans have proposed survivors' trusts of roughly $160 million to $242 million.

People's Justice Accountability DeskFacts verified Jul 12, 20263 sources

Filing window status

California's AB 218 three-year revival window ran from 2020 through 2022, and this diocese is now in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, where survivor claims are resolved through a court-supervised compensation process with its own filing deadlines. California law separately allows childhood sexual assault claims until age 40 or within five years of connecting the harm to the abuse, and has no deadline for abuse occurring on or after January 1, 2024. Because a bankruptcy bar date can control, a free, confidential review can confirm your deadline.

Deadlines are state-specific and change often. Even if you think a window has passed, it is worth confirming — exceptions can apply. A free, confidential review can tell you where you stand.

The record

Key Facts

Fact 01

330+ AB 218 abuse lawsuits

Source: Diocese of Oakland / NCR

Fact 02

Chapter 11 filed May 2023

Source: Diocese of Oakland

Fact 03

Proposed survivors' trusts: ~$160M–$242M

Source: Diocese of Oakland Chapter 11 plans

Fact 04

Fourth Amended Plan: ~$224.3 million trust

Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Cal.

What is documented

The Allegations

More than 330 survivors filed civil claims alleging childhood sexual abuse by clergy and other diocesan personnel, brought under California's AB 218 revival window and consolidated in the diocese's Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The full account

The Record

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2023 to address more than 330 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse, filed under California's Assembly Bill 218 lookback window.

The size of the survivors' trust has been the central dispute of the case. Proposals have ranged from roughly $160 million in late 2024 to a Fourth Amended Plan proposing about $224.3 million, and a competing $242 million proposal in December 2025. The court has repeatedly ordered the parties to continue mediating.

As with other diocesan bankruptcies, the goal is a court-approved plan that compensates survivors through a trust; as of early 2026 the case remained unresolved after nearly three years.

Sources & attribution

Sources Cited

3 sources

Related investigation

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