ROCHESTER, Minn. – The Diocese of Winona anticipates it will file for bankruptcy as a result of lawsuits filed by victims of clergy sex abuse.
Minnesota Public Radio News reports that in a March 25 letter to the Vatican, Winona Bishop John Quinn says the diocese has received several claims of negligence and anticipates more. He wrote the diocese “anticipates eventually bankruptcy as a result of these lawsuits.”
The lawsuits are being filed under legislation that gave victims a three-year window to sue over older sexual abuse allegations.
It’s unclear whether Quinn’s letter was sent to the Vatican.
Diocese spokesman Joel Hennessy says the diocese hasn’t decided whether to seek bankruptcy because it doesn’t know how many lawsuits it will face.
The bishop’s letter was among documents released Tuesday by victims’ attorneys.
