New York archdiocese, clergy abuse survivors agree to $800 million settlement
All of the roughly 1,300 claimants have signed on, and the Archdiocese of New York will pay $800 million. It is the second-largest settlement of its kind in the U.S. Signing is set for the week of Nov. 6.
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The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York has reached an $800 million settlement with about 1,300 people who say they were sexually abused by clergy, The Associated Press reported. Archbishop Ronald Hicks announced the deal Saturday in an email to his priests. He said it will not be final until it is signed, which is scheduled for the week of Nov. 6. The aim, he wrote, is to “bring some measure of healing and reconciliation to all victim-survivors.”
The two sides agreed on a framework in May, but it required every claimant to sign off. Attorney Jeff Anderson, who represents survivors, said they agreed unanimously. He said the settlement “marks a powerful moment in the pursuit of justice.” According to Bloomberg Law, survivors can take a $250,000 quick payment or have their claims assessed individually. They can also go after insurers, including Chubb, for more money. The archdiocese must also release documents on abuse allegations.
The deal keeps the archdiocese out of bankruptcy. The AP said it ends more than seven years of lawsuits. Only the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has paid more: $880 million to about 1,000 victims in 2024. San Francisco agreed in June to pay $395 million.