The Santa Fe Archdiocese in New Mexico has announced 20 layoffs amid its Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, brought on by the slew of Catholic church clergy sex abuse trials.

The Chapter 11 bankruptcy process began in 2018 for the Santa Fe Archdiocese, and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has been yet another significant financial issue for the church’s revenues, with in-person church services being either halted or limited.

“It’s a snowball effect with the coronavirus, the bankruptcy filings hitting and all the financial struggles of the pandemic,” said Larry Brito, pastor at St. Anne Parish. “The archdiocese depends on collections. That’s really a main source of income, and when there’s no Mass, they’re not collecting any money.”

Archbishop John C. Wester sent a letter to parishioners on Nov. 23, 2020, about the upcoming layoffs and other changes moving forward.

“We always knew entering Chapter 11 bankruptcy was not going to be easy,” he began. “However, for the healing of the victims of clergy sexual abuse and for the healing of our Church we knew it was the right decision to make.”

Beginning Dec. 4th, the Catholic Center is set to reduce its offices and/or positions by 20%—a change affecting many employees who worked there for a long time. “It is impossible to put into words just how much we are going to miss our friends with whom we have ministered for so long,” Archbishop Wester said. “Some of those leaving have been with us for well over 30 years.”

The archbishop offered well wishes to those being laid off. “We wish them well in the future and assure them of our never-ending gratitude and promise of prayer. I invite all in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe join me in this expression of gratitude and of prayerful support.”

The layoffs will affect the Office of the Archbishop, Office of the Vicar General, Office of the Chancellor, Pastoral Ministries, and the general services and communications division.

What Is the Path Forward for the Santa Fe Archdiocese?

In the letter, Wester also noted that he intends to form a task force of diverse voices to advise him as the Santa Fe Archdiocese moves forward.

“This task force … will reflect all the people of God as they assist me in forging a path forward for our local church,” Wester wrote. “We will move forward with hope and determination as we begin a new chapter in our lives of faith here in the Southwest.”

In the final paragraph of this letter, Wester wrote that “for over 400 years, the Catholic Church has been a beacon of hope and a source of life for countless souls in this portion of the Lord’s vineyard.”

But the Catholic Church has not been just a beacon of hope and a source of life—according to an ever-growing number of accusers, the Church has allegedly allowed sexual abuse to run rampant for decades within its ministry, ignoring signs of abuse and reports of sexual assault, and in many cases going so far as to actively cover up this abuse. By June 2019, hundreds of claims of clergy sex abuse had been filed against the Santa Fe Archdiocese.

The Santa Fe Archdiocese keeps a list of accused priests on its website, as well as a general FAQ on clergy abuse.

If you are a survivor of childhood sexual abuse by a member of the clergy in the Santa Fe Archdiocese or another Catholic diocese—even if the abuse occurred years or decades ago—you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and trauma caused by this kind of abuse, but it can at least help to provide monetary compensation, as well as hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.