The Catholic Archdiocese of New York has reached a settlement to pay $800 million, approximately 27 billion baht, to about 1,300 victims alleging sexual abuse by clergy. This is the second-largest settlement of its kind in the history of U.S. Catholic archdioceses. The agreement is scheduled for formal signing in early November after protracted legal battles lasting more than seven years.
The Catholic Archdiocese of New York and attorneys representing approximately 1,300 alleged victims of clergy sexual abuse have agreed to resolve the lawsuits with a total compensation payment of $800 million, or about 27 billion baht. This settlement ranks as the second-largest sexual abuse payout among U.S. Catholic archdioceses.
Archbishop Ronald Hicks sent an email to clergy on 24 October to confirm the settlement after the plaintiffs’ lawyers announced progress. He noted the agreement will not be finalized until both parties sign it, with the signing scheduled for the week beginning 6 November.
The New York Times reported that each of the roughly 1,300 victims will receive at least $250,000, or about 8.44 million baht, with some possibly receiving more depending on the severity of the abuse they endured.
This settlement will end litigation that has lasted over seven years. Both parties agreed on the settlement framework back in May, which requires all claimants to accept its terms.
Jeff Anderson, the attorney representing over 1,000 plaintiffs in cases against the Catholic Church in New York State, said the unanimous agreement among victims marks a significant moment in the pursuit of justice. He praised the courage, sacrifice, and determination of the survivors, which helped hold the institution accountable for past actions.
Trusha Goff, another lawyer from the same firm, described the settlement as a major victory for the victims who persevered through years of legal proceedings.
In his email, Archbishop Hicks said the settlement will pave the way for healing and reconciliation for the victims. He added that the archdiocese will now be able to fully focus on the Church’s core missions: spreading the gospel, caring for the sick and needy, welcoming those seeking assistance, and educating children.
The Archdiocese of New York covers the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, as well as seven counties north of New York City. It includes about 300 churches, over 150 Catholic schools, and serves approximately 2.5 million Catholics.
This settlement is the second largest after the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which agreed to pay $880 million in 2024 to 1,000 victims, in addition to a previous $740 million payout. In June, the Archdiocese of San Francisco agreed to pay $395 million to settle claims involving about 530 victims, while in December 2025 a federal court approved a settlement requiring the Archdiocese of New Orleans to pay at least $230 million.
Sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in the United States became a major scandal in the early 2000s after media investigations revealed that thousands of children had been abused over decades. Some church leaders were accused of covering up the abuses or relocating accused priests to other areas instead of reporting them to civil authorities.
As a result of numerous lawsuits, dioceses across the U.S. have paid hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation and established victim compensation programs to resolve disputes without full trials.
A New York state law enacted in 2019 allows victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue perpetrators and institutions accused of protecting them until age 55. Those older than 55 when the law took effect were given an extended deadline until August 2021 to file claims regardless of when the abuse occurred.
The settlement with the Archdiocese of New York highlights the ongoing impact of sexual abuse cases in the U.S. Catholic Church and efforts to hold related institutions accountable to survivors.
SourceThe Associated Press/AFP