Rambling observations on books, history, movies, transit, obsolete technology, baseball, and anything else that crosses my mind.
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| sfarch.org |
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| sfarch.org |
June 29, 2026
Dear Faithful of the Archdiocese of San Francisco:
Today, I am informing you that we have reached a settlement agreement in principle associated with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy action in the amount of $395 million.
The proposed financial settlement would resolve all lawsuits related to child sexual abuse brought against the Archdiocese under California Assembly Bill 218 (AB-218).
We recognize that no financial settlement can erase the painful legacy of these past actions. However, we believe this proposal offers a path toward fair compensation for survivors who have carried the burden of this abuse for a lifetime. Sexual abuse of children and young people is a tragedy that has affected many parts of society, including the Church. Although most of the sexual abuse claims brought under AB-218 in the Archdiocese of San Francisco involve incidents dating back many decades and individuals who are deceased or no longer in ministry, we accept responsibility for the failures that allowed this harm to occur. I sincerely apologize to all those who have suffered because of those failures. We remain committed to fostering healing and reconciliation and to accompanying all who deserve our unwavering respect, attention, and prayers.
California has, on more than one occasion, lifted the civil statute of limitations for historical sexual abuse claims, and the real possibility of future legislative changes presents a significant risk to our Archdiocese, parishes, and schools. To address potential liability arising from known and unknown historical claims, the proposed settlement includes a channeling injunction and releases for the Archdiocese and other archdiocesan entities. These protections require that covered claims be resolved through the settlement trust established for that purpose rather than through civil litigation.
Over the past decades, the Archdiocese has absorbed the financial impact of legal expenses and settlements on behalf of parishes, schools and other related entities. The current environment is much more challenging. While parishes and other archdiocesan entities were not included in the Chapter 11 filing, they will need to contribute funds and assets not restricted for specific purposes toward this proposed settlement to secure these legal safeguards and share in the work of making amends for the harm of the past. I want to emphasize that our central archdiocesan chancery office is contributing as much as possible to minimize parish impact, and no donor-restricted donations to parishes, schools, or the Archdiocese, nor donations to the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal, will be used. Each pastor is receiving information about parish contribution amounts, and additional information about channeling injunctions and releases is available in the attached Q&A document.
We want our Catholic family to move forward together and continue to focus on and grow our vital ministries to the faithful and community members who rely on our services and charity. Our faith calls us to maintain strong screening and preventative measures to protect children and eradicate this shameful crime from our midst and from society as a whole. Since the 1980s, the Archdiocese of San Francisco has prioritized training and background screening, and our Office of Child and Youth Protection and Safe Environment Program has an outstanding independent audit record.
I want to express my deepest appreciation to our chancery, parish and other archdiocesan leadership teams who, along with a very capable team of legal professionals, worked tirelessly for more than 30 months to bring about this proposal. Together, they engaged in this very challenging work with the highest integrity, character and authentic care and sensitivity. While there is much work still to be done as we make progress in good faith on the details of a consensual Chapter 11 plan of reorganization, I ask you to join me in prayer for all survivors of sexual abuse, for our Archdiocese, parish communities and schools.
Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone
Archbishop of San Francisco
I launched The Cable Car Home Page on AOL thirty years ago in November 1996.
I just put the July 2026 version of my Cable Car Home Page on the server:
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/
It includes some new items:
Ten years ago later this month (July 2016):
Ten years ago this month (July 2016):
Twenty years ago later this month (July 2006):
Twenty years ago this month (July 2006):
In January 2024 I started on a long overdue process of cleaning things up on my site. I started with the development pages. Actually, I guess I started the year before with making most thumbnails 200 pixels instead of 100.
Coming in August 2026: On the Other Cities page: A ten year update about the Sioux City Cable Railway
250 years ago - 1776
Jul 04 - In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.
25 years ago - 2001
Jul 20 - Byron Cobb won the 38th annual Bell Ringing Contest
The Cable Car Home Page now has a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/CableCarHomePage/
The Cable Car Home Page also has an Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/cable_car_guy/
Joe Thompson
The Cable Car Home Page (updated 01-July-2026)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/
San Francisco Bay Ferryboats (updated 31-October-2024)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ferry/
Park Trains and Tourist Trains (updated 30-June-2026)
http://www.cable-car-guy.com/ptrain/
The Pneumatic Rolling-Sphere Carrier Delusion (updated spasmodically)
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com
The Big V Riot Squad (updated obsessively)
http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/
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| Mad Magazine, June, 1963 |
