(Minneapolis, MN) – Today, the Crosier Fathers & Brothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Minnesota. The Crosier order is a Roman Catholic religious order of priests and brothers with communities in Phoenix, Arizona, and Onamia, Minnesota. The Crosier order is the 18th Catholic Diocese or Religious order to file for bankruptcy protection in the United States.
Sexual abuse survivors and the Crosiers have worked together to reach a framework for a $25.5 million dollar agreement to fairly compensate survivors of child sexual abuse by members and an employee of the Crosier order. Currently, there are 43 child sexual abuse cases pending in Minnesota courts.
“We applaud the strength and courage of all of the sexual abuse survivors who have come forward and shared their truths,” said Attorney Mike Finnegan. “The Crosiers are doing the right thing by working with survivors in order to facilitate a transparent and fair resolution for everyone involved.”
The Crosiers have agreed to a process as part of the settlement framework by which they will release the files of Crosiers credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. In March 2014, the Crosiers voluntarily released an updated list of 19 priests and brothers with credible child sexual abuse allegations. The first list containing a total of eight names was previously disclosed in 2002. These priests and brothers worked in various locations throughout the country, including Minnesota, Arizona, Indiana, Michigan, and New York.