The Archdiocese of New York and attorneys for about 1,300 people who say they were sexually abused by clergy have reached an $800 million settlement. The legal disputes lasted more than seven years, the Associated Press reported Saturday.
New York Archbishop Ronald Hicks confirmed the agreement in an email. He noted that the settlement will become final once both sides sign it in November.
“We are close, with God’s help, to bringing at least some measure of reconciliation to all those who have suffered harm. The agreement will also allow the archdiocese to once again focus fully on its mission: proclaiming the Gospel, healing the sick, caring for the poor and those in need, welcoming newcomers and educating our children,” the archbishop said.
The Archdiocese of New York covers the boroughs of the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island, as well as seven counties north of the city. It includes 300 parishes and more than 150 schools, and its community numbers 2.5 million faithful.
Attorney Jeff Anderson, who represents people who have filed more than 1,000 lawsuits in total against the Catholic Church in New York state, praised their “courage, dedication and determination,” which he said helped bring about a reckoning with the past.
“The unanimous agreement of the injured parties who brought claims against the Archdiocese of New York marks an important moment in the pursuit of justice,” he said.
The AP noted that the only other major settlement in sexual abuse compensation cases in the U.S. was the agreement reached by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2024. It agreed to pay $880 million to 1,000 people who reported abuse, in addition to earlier compensation totaling $740 million.
From New York, Andrzej Dobrowolski (PAP)
Source: Nowy Dziennik
