Judge approves reorganization plan for Crosier religious order

A federal judge judge has approved a bankruptcy reorganization plan for the Crosier Fathers and Brothers that compensates dozens of sexual abuse victims, many of whom were abused in the 1970s and 1980s at a prep school the order ran in Onamia.

The plan provides $25 million to about 70 abuse survivors.

"It was a day of hope," said Jeff Anderson, an attorney for many of the survivors. "Everybody in the courtroom (Thursday) was able to hear a sincere apology from the former provincial, Father Enneking, to the survivors."

Crosier still has a community in Onamia.

In 2014, the order released a list of 19 priests and brothers with credible allegations against them

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis was concerned that the Crosier plan could compromise the church's insurance coverage for abuse claims. But the archdiocese said that issue was addressed.

The Twin Cities archdiocese is trying to craft a bankruptcy reorganization plan of its own and faces sexual abuse claims from about 450 people.