Baltimore Catholic archdiocese files for bankruptcy as clergy abuse victims prepare suits - The Washington Post

Just a reminder that when the Church first realized they had a systemic problem back in the 80s, they took immediate action: every Church entity bought sex abuse insurance (at incredibly good rates); they cleaned their files, putting some under seal of the confessional, moving others toDC to be protected by diplomatic immunity, and simply destroying others; moving buildings and assets into separate entities so they wouldn't be included in the list of resources available to pay victims; and they increased their policy of moving abusive priests to new, unsuspecting parishes.

And that in every case so far, they claim that it wasn't a problem, vigorously attack every effort at discovery, claim that if there was an issue it wasn't the Church's responsibility, and claim that the Church has no assets it can use to pay victims. If they're found liable, they appeal the decision as well as the fine; have insurance cover most or all of the settlement; and if forced to pay out of their own money, immediately declare bankruptcy.