The Archdiocese of New York has agreed to pay $800 million to settle claims brought by roughly 1,300 people who say they faced sexual abuse.
The big picture: The claims name clergy members and lay workers. Jeff Anderson, whose firm represents more than 250 of the plaintiffs, said the settlement was finalized pending signed paperwork and that all plaintiffs had agreed to it.
- Archbishop Ronald Hicks told archdiocese priests by email on Saturday afternoon that an agreement had been reached with plaintiffs and their attorneys, while noting the deal had yet to be signed.
What they're saying: "We are on the verge of being able to, please God, bring some measure of healing and reconciliation to all victim-survivors," Hicks wrote, adding that the agreement lets the archdiocese turn its full attention back to its mission.
- Anderson said his clients expressed both sorrow about the abuse and relief that the legal fight is over. "The first is a real sense of relief and achievement," he said.
- Anderson said his clients hold "the belief that having stood up at least they have now a chance to move forward and have done something to protect others in the future and clean up the archdiocese of New York."
By the numbers: This ranks among the largest sexual abuse settlements in the Catholic church. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to an $880 million settlement in 2024.
The backstory: The New York archdiocese agreed in December 2025 to mediate the 1,300 claims. At the time it said it had laid off staff and planned to sell some of its Manhattan properties to raise $300 million for survivors.
Why it matters: An $800 million payout reshapes the balance sheet of the archdiocese seated at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and it sets a benchmark for dioceses still in mediation. The New York Times first reported the agreement.
