The Archdiocese of New York has agreed to a $800 million settlement with survivors of clergy sexual abuse, resolving claims brought by approximately 1,300 individuals, lawyers confirmed on Saturday. The agreement, which follows a framework finalized in May, marks one of the largest payouts in a wave of U.S. lawsuits over clergy sex abuse and is pending signed paperwork expected in early November.
Archbishop Ronald Hicks notified clergy in an email that the settlement had been reached but noted it would not be finalized until parties sign the agreement during the week of November 6. The deal ends more than seven years of litigation and requires all claimants to sign off.
In addition to the financial compensation, the archdiocese has agreed to release documents pertaining to sexual offenders within the Church, a provision sought by survivors and their attorneys. Jeff Anderson & Associates, representing 300 abuse survivors, called the settlement a “powerful moment in the pursuit of justice.”
The settlement is the second-largest of its kind in U.S. Catholic Church history, surpassed only by the $880 million agreement reached by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2024. Other recent settlements include the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s $395 million deal in June and the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ $230 million agreement approved in December 2025.
Background: Legal and Institutional Context
The agreement follows New York’s 2019 Child Victims Act, which temporarily extended the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims, enabling survivors to file lawsuits over decades-old crimes. Similar laws in other states have led to a surge in litigation against Catholic dioceses nationwide, with the Church paying billions in settlements in recent years.
Archbishop Hicks stated in his email that the settlement aims to allow the archdiocese to “turn its full attention once again to its mission,” including preaching, healing, and education. Survivors’ attorneys described mixed reactions among their clients, citing both relief at reaching a resolution and sorrow over the abuse endured.
The framework for the agreement was first reported by The New York Times and later confirmed by multiple outlets. While the settlement is not yet signed, all plaintiffs and their attorneys have agreed to its terms, according to Jeff Anderson, whose firm represents over 250 of the claimants.