Case filing & court posture: The Roman Catholic Bishop of Fresno, a California corporation sole, filed a chapter 11 petition on July 1, 2025 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California, Fresno Division (Case No. 25-12231-B-11). Dkt. 1 Hon. René Lastreto II presides. The debtor filed to address approximately 160 sexual abuse lawsuits, including 153 claims pending at filing, filed under California's AB 218 statute of limitations revival window.
Liquidity & financing path: The debtor is self-funding its bankruptcy from internal cash reserves ($8.1 million allocated for chapter 11 expenses) and has not obtained external DIP financing. Dkt. 10 An interim order authorized continued use of the debtor's existing cash management system, operational bank accounts at Wells Fargo Bank, Bank of the Sierra, and Axos Bank, and related investment accounts. Dkt. 68 Interim orders on first-day motions were entered July 8, 2025. Dkt. 66
Assets, liabilities & debtor operations: As reported at filing, the debtor owns assets exceeding $94 million and has liabilities exceeding $79 million, including $30.3 million owed to its internal Deposit & Loan Fund. The debtor operates the Diocese of Fresno, serving approximately 949,000 Catholics across 8 counties through 87 parishes, 21 Catholic schools, and 5 cemeteries.
Plan filing & emergence: The debtor retains plan filing exclusivity through April 27, 2026. As of February 2026, no chapter 11 plan has been confirmed; the case remains in early post-petition stages with ongoing first-day motion hearings and administrative proceedings.
