The Catholic Diocese of Fresno filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Tuesday, according to a news release from the religious organization.

The filing comes as the church faces 153 claims of abuse by the clergy. Bishop Joseph Brennan said the church would prioritize those payments as they go through bankruptcy proceedings.

“Our Church must address the suffering that victims of clergy sexual abuse endure. We know the sin; it will always be before us,” Brennan said. “As your Bishop, I commit to maintain the highest standards for the protection of the vulnerable and our youth and I will continue to confront allegations of abuse or any wrongdoing with diligence and care.”

Church’s Liabilities in Excess of $50 million

In 2018, California’s Assembly Bill 218 lifted a statute of limitations window for victims of sexual abuse, allowing survivors to file suit regardless of when the abuse occurred.

The church said the vast majority of abuse claims came prior to 2002 when safeguards were implemented.

The Diocese — which stretches from Madera County south to Kern County and east to Inyo County — created a website to detail information about the bankruptcy and how it is dealing with sexual abuse. Bankruptcy filings list its liabilities in excess of $50 million and sexual abuse claims could render the Diocese insolvent, the website stated.

The diocese operates with a balanced budget, the website states.

Survivors of abuse with claims against the church will be put into a group of unsecured creditors. When the diocese announced in May that bankruptcy was likely, the church said the filing would help address the claims collectively.

“I am convinced that this path is the only path that will allow us to handle claims of sexual abuse that is fair, equitable while simultaneously ensuring the continuation of ministry within our Diocese,” Brennan said in an address on YouTube.

The bankruptcy does not affect the seven school parishes within the diocese, according to the website.