Faced with 153 sex abuse cases, Fresno Diocese files bankruptcy

Bogged down by 153 claims of clergy sex abuse, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno announced Tuesday it voluntarily filed a petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The financial reorganization process comes more than a year after the diocese declared its initial intent to seek relief in U.S. bankruptcy court.

Fresno church officials said the action will help them avoid insolvency, while victims of…