After Seven Years of Lawsuits, New York Catholic Archdiocese Reaches $800 Million Historic Abuse Settlement

Settlement Reaches 1,300 Survivors

The Archdiocese of New York agreed to an $800 million settlement involving approximately 1,300 victims of clergy sexual abuse. The agreement would conclude more than seven years of litigation.

It ranks second among payouts by U.S. Catholic archdioceses. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed in 2024 to pay $880 million to 1,000 victims, on top of $740 million in earlier payments.

Other Large Church Settlements

Other substantial Catholic archdiocese settlements include $395 million in San Francisco, connected to around 500 lawsuits. In New Orleans, at least $230 million was approved. The Los Angeles agreement remains the largest U.S. sexual abuse settlement cited in the reporting. New York’s proposed payment is below that figure but involves more claimants than the Los Angeles settlement.

Attorney Cites Accountability

Jeff Anderson, an attorney representing people who filed more than 1,000 claims against the Catholic Church in New York state, called the survivors’ unanimous agreement a significant point in seeking justice. Anderson said survivors’ courage and determination had helped produce a reckoning and a step toward accountability. In an email to clergy, Hicks urged them to tell church members that “much progress has been made.”

New York Law Opened Claims

A New York law passed in 2019 allows survivors of child sexual abuse to bring lawsuits against abusers and institutions accused of shielding them until they turn 55. Those already older than 55 when the law took effect received until August 2021 to file, regardless of when the alleged abuse occurred.