Norwich's Catholic diocese files for bankruptcy protection due to sexual abuse lawsuits

NORWICH - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich on Thursday filed for bankruptcy reorganization as part of its efforts to resolve several pending abuse lawsuits initiated by individuals who allege they were sexually assaulted by at least two overseers of a former Deep River boarding school during the 1990s.

In a letter posted on the diocese’s website, the Most Rev. Michael Cote, bishop of Norwich, said the Chapter 11 filing, though the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Hartford, was the “most equitable way” to deal with the dozens of lawsuits filed alleging abuse at The Academy at Mount Saint John.

“It is with a heavy heart, and out of deep concern for the Diocese and you the faithful, that I regrettably share with you the following information, which is probably the most important news that I have had to deliver in my 18 years as the shepherd of the Diocese of Norwich,” Cote said on the diocese website announcing the voluntary bankruptcy petition filing, a decision he said was reached after two years of “careful deliberation and prayer.”

Cote said nearly 60 former residents have filed suit for damages “that exceed the Diocese’s current financial ability to pay.”

Read more: https://www.norwichbulletin.com/story/news/local/2021/07/15/norwich-ct-catholic-diocese-files-bankruptcy-the-academy-mount-saint-deep-river-boarding-school/7985854002/