The Archdiocese of New York has offered $800 million to settle thousands of clergy and staff child sexual abuse claims. If approved, the settlement may result in $250,000 paid to each survivor. Victims must unanimously approve the settlement for it to take effect.
The move comes after years of litigation and resistance to accountability by Catholic church officials.
In a statement, Archbishop Ronald Hicks says the settlement is necessary to avoid prolonged litigation and avoid Archdiocese bankruptcy.
Archbishop Hicks calls the offer a “comprehensive arrangement that will deliver compensation to victim survivors faster and more efficiently than the traditional legal process.”
The long wait for justice
Victims say that they have waited long enough. After years of silence, victim voices were heard with the February 14, 2019 passage of the New York Child Victims Act. The Act temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims. It created a one-year window, starting August 13, 2019, for victims to file previously barred claims. The deadline was extended for another year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, victims have until age 55 to make their claims.
NBC News reports 10,783 lawsuits were filed in the two-year open window. These lawsuits involved Catholic churches, hospitals, and other civic organizations. More than 1,300 claims were filed against the Archdiocese of New York.
The legal process
The Archdiocese of New York and the Plaintiff’s Liaison Committee entered mediation in December 2025. Judge Daniel J. Buckley facilitated mediation proceedings.
The settlement offer
The proposed settlement has four parts:
- Payment. A $615 million initial payment to survivors, with another $185 million payable in about 15 months.
- Recovery. The opportunity to recover more funds payable to a survivor’s trust, if insurers for the Archdiocese are found responsible to pay claims.
- Accountability. Maintenance and publication of a list of credibly accused clergy. The list must be provided to Iona University with related documentation.
- Stay. A temporary stay of litigation while the settlement proposal is pending.
Bishop Hicks acknowledges, on behalf of the Archdiocese, that work is ongoing to “bring healing and justice to victim-survivors.” Bishop Hicks says that there is additional work that must be done to finalize and effect the settlement.
Other legal claims
Lawsuits for clergy and staff sexual abuse continue to make headlines throughout the United States. In October 2024, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to pay victims $880 million. They made their final payment in April 2026.
Six Catholic Diocese in New York State have filed for bankruptcy since the Child Victims Act passed, including Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rockville Centre, Albany and Ogdensburg. The Archdiocese of New York says that the proposed offer and aggressive sale of church real estate holdings will help avoid the need for bankruptcy filing. The Archdiocese raised funds by selling its Manhattan headquarters for $100 million and trimming operating costs.
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Sources:
LA Catholics, AB-218 Settlement.
The Good News Room, Judge Approves Diocese of Rockville Centre’s $323 Million Bankruptcy Settlement (Dec. 5, 2024).
NCR, Archdiocese of NY proposes $800M settlement for abuse claims (May 3, 2026).
Archdiocese of New York, Message From Archbishop Hicks (May 1, 2026).
Diocese of Albany, Monetary Settlement Reached in Diocese of Albany Bankruptcy Case (Mar. 27, 2026).
Catholic Review, New York Archdiocese sells office headquarters for reported $100 million (Oct. 11, 2024).