New York: The Archdiocese of New York has agreed to pay more than $800 million to settle sexual abuse claims brought by approximately 1,300 survivors who suffered abuse by Catholic clergy.
The agreement, announced by New York Archbishop Ronald Hicks, is expected to be formally signed on November 6 following negotiations with the survivors and their legal representatives. In an email sent to priests and shared by the archdiocese’s news outlet, Hicks stated that the settlement could help bring healing and reconciliation to survivors. He also highlighted the church’s intention to refocus on its religious and community responsibilities, including preaching the Gospel, caring for the sick and vulnerable, welcoming strangers and educating children.
The settlement is considered the second-largest of its kind involving a Catholic archdiocese in the United States, following the $880 million agreement reached by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2024. Jeff Anderson, a lawyer representing survivors who filed more than 1,000 claims against the Catholic Church in New York state, described the unanimous agreement as a significant moment in the pursuit of justice and accountability. He credited the survivors’ courage and determination with helping bring about meaningful progress.
The agreement follows years of negotiations amid longstanding sexual abuse scandals involving the Catholic Church in the United States. Investigations in the early 2000s exposed widespread cases of abuse involving children over several decades, along with allegations that church officials had concealed incidents or transferred accused priests rather than reporting them to civil authorities.
Since then, dioceses across the country have faced substantial financial liabilities, with many establishing compensation programmes to resolve claims without lengthy court proceedings. In June, the Archdiocese of San Francisco announced a $395 million settlement covering approximately 530 survivors who alleged sexual abuse by clergy. The latest agreement in New York represents another major development in the church’s efforts to resolve historical abuse claims and address the demands of survivors seeking justice.
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