The Archdiocese of New Orleans is putting dozens of individual parishes and charitable organizations under federal bankruptcy protection this week, part of the local church's broader plan to end its long-running bankruptcy case in a way that resolves past claims of clergy sexual abuse once and for all.

Attorneys for the archdiocese said that 157 parishes, charities and other entities affiliated with the local Roman Catholic church will file for Chapter 11 beginning on Wednesday.

The cases will be filed as part of what is known as a pre-packaged bankruptcy, which is a streamlined process with an expedited timeline and fewer legal requirements.

The goal, according to attorney Douglas Draper, who represents the church parishes and agencies, is for those affiliates to close out all futu

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