Archdiocese of Santa Fe Chapter 11 Bankruptcy & Documents

We will be updating resources on this page. If you have any immediate questions or comments you would like to share with archdiocesan leadership regarding the ASF Reorganization, please contact the ASF Office of the Vicar General at 505.831.8158 or vg@archdiosf.org.

23.03.16 Archbishop John C. Wester's Open Letter to the Sexual Abuse Claimants of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe More>
A  los demandantes de  abuso sexual dentro de  la Arquidiócesis de Santa Fe En Español>

Click here for Chapter 11 Plans Documents

Bankruptcy Updates  

22.12.29 STATEMENT: Most Reverend John C. Wester on the Agreement Reached in
Archdiocese of Santa Fe Chapter 11 Proceedings More>

10.07.2022 Vicar General's Corner 

07.07.2022 Vicar General's Corner

22.05.17 NEWS RELEASE: Archdiocese of Santa Fe Enters Into Agreement of Terms Regarding Chapter 11 Reorganization Case More> En Español>

1.31.2022 Vicar General's Corner

9.30.2021 Vicar General's Corner

8.10.2021 NEWS RELEASE: The Archdiocese of Santa Fe Announces First Round of Online Land Auctions in New Mexico More>

6.30.2021 Vicar General's Corner

5.18.2021 Archbishop John C. Wester's letter to the St. Pius X Community

Excerpt from the Vicar General's Corner dated April 2, 2021
Frequently asked questions (FAQs):
Q: Can people contribute individually to the settlement?
A: Yes. Just send a check to, and made out to, the Archdiocese with “for bankruptcy settlement only” in the memo line. We’ll keep track and return the money if the deal falls through. You can also go to this contribution link. You can also contribute to your parishes’ contribution in the same way, but ensure that your pastor has a setup to do that.

Q: How do we know that all the claims are legitimate.
A: There’s no way to ensure ALL are legitimate, but many/most of them—past and present—check out as very likely according to information given in the claims. Once settled, claimants in bankruptcies decide among themselves how to divide it, likely screened by the seriousness of the specifics on their claim—what, when, who, etc.

Q: So, why isn’t each claim verified?
A: Almost all of the credibly accused offenders are dead and can’t be questioned. But given past lawsuits and specifics in the claims, most, if not all, are very credible.

Q: What expenses do the archdiocese have to pay in the bankruptcy?
A: ASF has to pay not only for our own attorneys along with our normal operating expenses, but also the UCC’s attorneys. So…hundreds of hours on both sides, at several hundred dollars per hour for each attorney (they have varying rates)—that goes through $$$ really fast.

Q: Are the archdiocese’s efforts to stop child sexual abuse by clergy working?
A: Very much so. As you can imagine, this has become top priority since this scourge against children has come to light. The last known incident of abuse was over 15 years ago; may God grant we never see another. But vigilance is key—not only for Church leadership, but by everyone.

Other comments heard
C: The archdiocese is rich! Use YOUR money!!
A: The archdiocese is anything BUT rich, especially after paying lawsuit settlements for the last 20 years, and bankruptcy legal fees for the last two. ASF declared bankruptcy because of dwindling resources, not because it’s “rich.” Also, we wouldn’t have laid off 20% of our employees in December, sold the archbishop’s much larger former house, and have almost all ASF properties on the sale block if we were flush with cash.

C: The Vatican can help!
A: No; a diocese is responsible for its own finances. Anyway, the Vatican can barely pay its own bills these days, especially with COVID reducing contributions.

C: I don’t want any of MY money going to a bankruptcy!
A: Okay…but that won’t stop possibly crippling lawsuits from endangering your parish anyway.

C: Our parish will just refuse to respond to any lawsuits!
A: Not a good move, to say the least. It would likely result in some default judgment, and parish assets (savings, land, buildings) might be seized by authorities anyway to pay a settlement.

4.02.2021 Vicar General's Corner
 
3.12.2021 Vicar General's Corner

3.12.2021 Archbishop John C. Wester requests prayers for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe during bankruptcy:  "...our archdiocese has been engaged in the Chapter 11 Reorganization process for some time now.  This arduous undertaking is beginning to pick up the pace as both sides seek to bring healing to the victims and all those impacted by the scourge of clergy sexual abuse.  With a heightened sense of urgency, and a renewed commitment to bring Christ’s healing to our local Church, I write to ask for your prayers that our efforts will be successful.  In particular, I ask each parish and Catholic institution to come together in prayer for this intention by seeking the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Joseph and Servant of God Sister Blandina Segale, SC." More>

3.12.2021 Arzobispo John C. Wester: "...nuestra arquidiócesis se encuentra desde hace algún tiempo involucrada en un proceso de reorganización del Capítulo 11 de las leyes de bancarrota.  Esta ardua operación está comenzando a acelerar el ritmo, ya que ambas partes tratan de sanar a las víctimas y a todos los afectados por el flagelo del abuso sexual por parte del clero.  Con un elevado sentido de urgencia, y un renovado compromiso de traer la sanación de Cristo a nuestra Iglesia local, les escribo suplicándoles sus oraciones para que nuestros esfuerzos tengan éxito.  Particularmente, pido a cada parroquia e institución católica que se unan en oración por esta intención buscando la intercesión de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, de San José y de la Sierva de Dios, Sor Blandina Segale, SC." En Español>

2.26.2021 Archbishop Wester's letter to St. Pius X High School parents, alumni, students, and staff 

2.22.2021 Vicar General's Corner

2.12.2021 Vicar General's Corner

1.22.2021 Archbishop Wester's letter to St. Pius X. High School parents, alumni, students, and staff

190308 NEWS RELEASE: Order on Proof of Claim - Bar Date En Español >

Sexual Abuse Proof of Claim     En Español>

Notice of Deadline for Filing Claims Relating to or Arising from Sexual Abuse


190308 DECLARACION: Orden sobre la fecha de presentacion de la Prueba de Reclamo


November 29, 2018,

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
 
St. Paul reminds us that "We walk by faith, and not by sight." (2 Corinthians  5:7). Since coming to the Southwest, I have been inspired by your faith in Jesus Christ and by the heroic faith of those who came before you, a faith symbolized by our beautiful adobe missions and by the vibrant traditions of our people, the living stones of the Church we call Holy Faith.  However, even though our Archdiocese of Santa Fe abides on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, it has been rocked by the terrible scourge of clergy sexual abuse and the mistakes, and in some cases, crimes of our shepherds. Now more than ever, the words of St. Paul have special meaning for us as we seek to bring healing to those who have been harmed by the evil of sexual abuse and to all those who have suffered along with them in any way.

Tragically, those who should have protected our children failed egregiously to do so. These sinful deeds have left us in anger, sorrow, and an intense sense of betrayal. It is in the suffering of the innocent and vulnerable that we painfully face the extent of this struggle to walk in the light of faith. I deeply regret this suffering, and I am committed to joining you in an unrelenting effort to heal and protect. More > En Español >


On November 29, 2018, Most Reverend John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe, issued the following statement:
 
For the past 25 years, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe has worked diligently to promote a safe environment for children and young people. In particular, during this time we have done our best to provide support and healing for those who have been harmed by clergy sexual abuse. We realize that nothing can ever adequately compensate those who have been victims of this terrible crime. Nonetheless, we seek to do all we can by way of publicly acknowledging their pain, offering apologies and providing financial compensation. We are committed to doing all we can to assist victim survivors now, and into the future.  More > En Español >