The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington has filed for bankruptcy. That’s according to federal bankruptcy court documents.The Diocese says it is currently facing 31 lawsuits and is concerned it won’t be able to pay out settlements.

The state's only Catholic diocese, which has paid out more than $30 million to survivors over the years, still faces 31 lawsuits related to decades-old claims.

The state’s largest religious denomination is seeking an emergency order for permission to keep paying staff as a court is set to hold its first hearing on a church plan to reorganize finances depleted by child abuse claims.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington – partially responsible for Vermont’s Catholic churches – filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, battered by expensive sexual abuse lawsuits, says reorganizing its finances is in everyone's best interest.