A federal bankruptcy judge Thursday granted a request by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland to dismiss its bankruptcy case, setting the stage for hundreds of sexual assault victims to take their long-running lawsuits against the church to trial in the coming months and years.

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Judge William J. Lafferty said his decision would not be official until Nov. 12 — leaving open the possibility of a last-minute deal between the diocese and about 350 people who filed lawsuits in recent years claiming decades of abuse by local clergy members.

The ruling comes about a month after diocese leaders asked to end the proceedings, suggesting that abuse victims — as well as the church’s own congregants — “deserve better” than a costly Chapter 11 bankruptcy fight that appeared to be goin

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