- The Archdiocese of New York has agreed to pay $800 million to settle the claims brought against the church by some 1,300 people who say they faced sexual abuse from clergy members and lay workers.
- Attorney Jeff Anderson confirmed that the settlement was finalized, pending signed paperwork, and that all plaintiffs had agreed to the settlement.
- Archbishop Ronald Hicks stated in an email that the deal had not yet been signed but that an agreement had been reached with plaintiffs and their attorneys.
- Hicks expressed hope that the agreement would bring healing and reconciliation to all victim-survivors and allow the archdiocese to focus on its mission.
- This settlement is considered one of the largest in the Catholic Church related to sexual abuse claims.
- The agreement with the New York archdiocese would end more than seven years of lawsuits.
- The signing of the settlement is scheduled for the week of Nov. 6.
- In 2006, the New York state court of appeals refused to waive a statute of limitations concerning allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic priests.
- In 2019, New York passed a law allowing sexual abuse survivors to file civil lawsuits until they turn 55.
- In December 2025, the Archdiocese of New York agreed to mediation to settle the 1,300 sexual abuse claims and planned to sell Manhattan properties to raise $300 million.
- In May, the parties agreed to a framework requiring all claimants to sign off on the settlement.
- In June, the Archdiocese of San Francisco agreed to a $395 million settlement over clergy abuse lawsuits.
- In December 2025, a federal judge approved a settlement for the Archdiocese of New Orleans of at least $230 million.
- In 2024, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to pay $880 million to 1,000 victims.
The Archdiocese of New York has agreed to an $800 million settlement with around 1,300 survivors of clergy abuse, marking one of the largest settlements in U.S. Catholic Church history. The deal, pending final signatures, aims to provide closure for victims and allow the archdiocese to refocus on its mission.15
Archbishop Ronald Hicks confirmed the agreement in an email to clergy, stating, "We are on the verge of being able to, please God, bring some measure of healing and reconciliation to all victim-survivors." The settlement resolves a lengthy legal battle and reduces the risk of bankruptcy for the archdiocese.34
Attorney Jeff Anderson, representing over 250 plaintiffs, noted that survivors expressed mixed feelings of sorrow and relief, emphasizing the importance of the settlement in protecting future victims. "The first is a real sense of relief and achievement," Anderson said.2
The agreement follows a 2019 New York law allowing survivors to file lawsuits until age 55, leading to thousands of claims against the archdiocese. The settlement is expected to provide each survivor with $250,000 or more, depending on individual circumstances.9
This settlement is the second-largest in U.S. Catholic Church history, following the Archdiocese of Los Angeles's $880 million settlement in 2024. The New York archdiocese, which serves about 2.5 million Catholics, has faced ongoing scrutiny and legal challenges related to clergy abuse allegations.14
“The settlement, one of the largest in U.S. Catholic church history, would end more than seven years of lawsuits and reduce bankruptcy risk. Survivors can receive $250,000 each or enter an allocation process, with signing scheduled for the week of Nov. 6.”
NPRThe Guardian
