The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse (N.Y.) has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy, just days after 38 people filed Child Victims Act lawsuits against the church, Syracuse.com reported. Since last year, the diocese has faced dozens of claims that its priests sexually abused children and that officials covered up the abuse for decades. On Wednesday, 38 more victims filed lawsuits, including a Central New York grandmother. The filings in court show the diocese has assets of more than $10 million but less than $50 million. Lawyers for the diocese from Syracuse firm Bond, Schoeneck & King estimated the diocese has between 100 and 200 creditors and up to $100 million in liabilities. The filings also revealed the diocese received a $1.3 million federal Paycheck Protection Program loan to help cover expenses during the coronavirus pandemic.
