The Diocese of Norwich, Connecticut, has become the 27th American diocese to file for bankruptcy protection in the wake of the sex-abuse scandal.

“The decision to file for bankruptcy relief was difficult and only taken after two years of careful deliberation and prayer,” said Bishop Michael Cote of Norwich.

“With nearly 60 lawsuits filed against the Diocese relating to abuse alleged to have occurred at the Mount Saint John School – a former ministry of the Diocese and residential school in Deep River to which students were sent, tuitions paid, and annual audits performed by the State of Connecticut,” he continued, “it became clear that the Diocese could not continue to carry out its spiritual, charitable, and educational missions while also bearing the potential costs of litigation associated with these cases.”