A Catholic order that runs schools has become the church's second order in the U.S. to file for bankruptcy because of sexual abuse claims.The North American branch of the Christian Brothers, which has schools around the world, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid mounting claims.
Members of the Christian Brothers, who are not ordained as priests, have been accused of sexually abusing scores of children in the U.S. and Canada.
The total number of cases brought is not known, but one lawyer for the victims, Seattle-based Michael Pfau, said he has settled more than 50 abuse cases with a total of $25.6 million paid out in the last five years.
He has accused the order of filing for bankruptcy to protect its assets in Rome.
The bulk of the claims that have engulfed the order come from the Seattle area.
About 35 of the cases originated with the now-defunct Briscoe Memorial School, an orphanage and boarding school jointly run with the Seattle Archdiocese in Kent, Washington.
‘There were rapes, molestations and beatings. The brothers carried long leather straps. It was a very abusive place,’ said Mr Pfau.
Most lawsuits still pending involve allegations of sexual abuse at schools and orphanages the Brothers owned and operated in Washington state and Canada, he said.
Mr Pfau added: ‘They made money taking over the care of children but put many of their members who were known abusers in charge of them.
‘Then they tried to cover it up. This bankruptcy is just another effort for them to avoid responsibility.’
The bankruptcy comes weeks after the Pacific Northwest branch of another Catholic order, the Jesuits, agreed to pay $166 million to settle more than 500 child sexual abuse claims.
Those claims led the Jesuits to file for Chapter 11 two years ago.
Last year, the Congregation of Christian Brothers came under fire over a report by the Irish government finding widespread sexual abuse of children in schools and other institutions run by the order in that country.
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