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Image: Symbol of the Franciscans by Piotr Jaworski; via Wikipedia.
The Franciscan Friars of California have announced a $20 million settlement to resolve dozens of sexual abuse claims, following the organization’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2024.
The friars previously disclosed that they filed for bankruptcy to address 94 child sexual abuse claims, many of which became legally viable after California revived its statute of limitations. The change in state law allowed survivors to file lawsuits for abuse that occurred decades earlier but had previously been time-barred.
In a February 4 court filing, the friars said they agreed to place $20 million into a trust to compensate alleged survivors of abuse. Attorneys representing the claimants stated that the settlement followed more than 13 months of mediation involving approximately 15 parties.
According to prior court filings, nearly all of the alleged abuse occurred at least 27 years ago, with some claims dating back to the 1940s. Most of the friars named in the claims are deceased. Of the six friars who are still living, the organization said all have been permanently removed from public ministry and are subject to third-party supervision.
Church officials previously said bankruptcy was the most effective way to resolve the volume of claims in an equitable manner. In earlier statements, a representative of the friars described the bankruptcy process as a court-supervised path to resolving claims efficiently and fairly.
The February filing also states that the friars will retain ownership of several real estate assets, including the Gibson Mine, a historic copper ore site donated to the Franciscans in 1969 and later remediated for environmental concerns.
For survivors, the settlement reflects how recent changes to California law have enabled long-delayed accountability, allowing claims involving decades-old abuse to move forward through the legal system for the first time.
The Franciscans are a Catholic religious order founded in the 13th century by St. Francis of Assisi, known for their emphasis on poverty, simplicity, service to the poor, and living in close imitation of Christ’s humility. Unlike diocesan priests, Franciscans take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and typically live in community rather than serving a single parish long term. They are part of what the Church calls “mendicant orders,” meaning they historically relied on charitable support rather than owning wealth. Jesuits, by contrast, are members of the Society of Jesus, founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola, and are widely associated with higher education, missionary work, and intellectual scholarship. Jesuits often focus on universities, global missions, and policy influence, while Franciscans traditionally prioritize direct service, pastoral ministry, and outreach to marginalized communities.
California Sexual Abuse Survivors: Learn Your Legal Options
Settlements like this are often made possible by changes in California law that allow survivors to pursue justice years after abuse occurred.
