New York Archdiocese Agrees to $800 Million Abuse Settlement

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York has reached an $800 million settlement with attorneys representing about 1,300 people who said they were sexually abused by clergy, in an agreement announced Saturday, October 24, 2026. The deal could resolve more than seven years of litigation, but it will not become final until the parties sign the agreement, which is scheduled for the week of November 6.

The settlement would rank as the second-largest financial agreement involving a Catholic archdiocese in the United States over sexual abuse claims, according to reports by CNN and NBC News citing The Associated Press. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles reached an $880 million settlement in 2024 involving 1,000 victims, in addition to $740 million in claims it had previously paid.

The New York agreement follows other major settlements involving Catholic institutions. In June 2026, the Archdiocese of San Francisco agreed to pay $395 million to resolve about 500 lawsuits involving clergy abuse. In December 2025, a federal judge approved a settlement requiring the Archdiocese of New Orleans to pay at least $230 million to abuse victims.

Jeff Anderson, an attorney representing people who filed more than 1,000 claims against the Catholic Church in New York state, said the agreement reflected the collective efforts of survivors who pursued legal action.

"The unanimous agreement of survivors who filed claims against the Archdiocese of New York marks a powerful moment in the pursuit of justice," Jeff Anderson said in a statement.

Anderson credited the survivors' determination with helping secure the agreement after years of legal proceedings.

"Through their courage, sacrifice, and determination, survivors have helped bring about a reckoning and a meaningful step toward accountability."

The settlement framework was established in May 2026 and required every person who filed a claim to approve the agreement. Trusha Goffe, an attorney at Anderson's firm, described the outcome as a significant achievement for the survivors.

"This is an extraordinary achievement for the survivors," Trusha Goffe said.

Goffe said the claimants maintained their resolve throughout the lengthy litigation process.

"The survivors remained resolute through years of litigation to reach this monumental settlement."

Archbishop Ronald Hicks confirmed the agreement in an email to clergy on Saturday, emphasizing that the settlement remained subject to formal signatures. He also addressed how church representatives should respond to questions from members of the congregation.

"Please let them know that much progress has been made."

Hicks said the agreement could help survivors move toward healing while allowing the archdiocese to refocus on its religious and community responsibilities.

"We are on the verge of being able to, please God, bring some measure of healing and reconciliation to all victim-survivors," he wrote.

He also outlined the institution's intended priorities following the settlement.

"This agreement will also 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 Archdiocese of New York serves the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island, along with seven counties north of New York City. According to the reports, it encompasses about 300 churches, more than 150 parochial schools and approximately 2.5 million Catholics.

The legal claims were made possible in part by a New York law enacted in 2019 that expanded the time available for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to sue alleged perpetrators and institutions accused of shielding them. The law generally allowed survivors to bring claims until age 55, while people who were already older than 55 when it took effect received an additional filing window through August 2021, regardless of when the alleged abuse occurred.

The parties are scheduled to sign the settlement during the week of November 6, 2026. Until those signatures are completed, the agreement remains subject to finalization.