New York Archdiocese to pay $800 million to sex abuse survivors

New York Archdiocese to pay $800 million to sex abuse survivors

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The Archdiocese of New York has agreed to pay $800 million to around 1,300 survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, according to DW News. The settlement, which is one of the largest clergy abuse settlements in the US, was proposed by the Archdiocese of New York in May and is set to be formally signed in early November. Each of the survivors is expected to receive at least $250,000, with some larger payouts possible depending on the extent of the abuse.

The agreement marks a powerful moment in the pursuit of justice, according to Jeff Anderson, an attorney representing the survivors. "Through their courage, sacrifice, and determination, survivors have helped bring about a reckoning and a meaningful step toward accountability," he said in a statement. The settlement is the second-largest involving a Catholic archdiocese in the US, after the Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to pay $880 million to 1,000 abuse victims in 2024.

The Archdiocese of New York covers the city's boroughs of the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, as well as seven counties to the north of New York City, and is home to about 300 churches, more than 150 parochial schools, and 2.5 million Catholics. In his email to clergy, New York Archbishop Ronald Hicks said that the agreement will allow the archdiocese to turn its full attention once again to its mission of preaching the Gospel, healing the sick, caring for the poor and needy, welcoming the stranger, and educating our children.

The settlement is a result of years of lawsuits, with the parties agreeing to a framework for an agreement in May. The agreement requires everyone who filed a claim to sign off, and the parties are scheduled to sign it in the week of November 6.