The Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton, Calif., which is the 10th Catholic diocese in the U.S. to enter chapter 11 protection as a result of increasing sexual-abuse claims, has received a judge's approval of its initial bankruptcy requests, the Wall Street Journal reported today. The ruling by Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. Klein on Friday will allow the diocese to continue to pay its 37 salaried employees and seven hourly employees, according to court papers. Bishop Stephen E. Blaire said that the diocese, which filed for bankruptcy Jan. 15, has spent $14 million in legal settlements and judgments over the past 20 years as it dealt with abuse allegations, and doesn't have funds available to settle pending lawsuits or address allegations in the future. In all, the diocese estimated its total liabilities at between $10 million and $50 million, according to its bankruptcy petition.
