The Archdiocese of New York has agreed to pay $800 million to settle sexual abuse claims brought by about 1,300 people who said they were victimized by clergy members and lay workers, lawyers for the survivors announced on Saturday. The settlement is set to be formally signed in early November.1,2,3
Lawyers for the plaintiffs sent an email late Friday to the archdiocese's priests announcing the planned settlement, The New York Times reported. The New York Post described the claimants as people who said they were victimized by clergy members and lay people in positions of leadership in the Roman Catholic Church. The agreement covers survivors who filed claims against the archdiocese and would end years of lawsuits.2,3
The reports differ slightly on the size of the group. The New York Post's headline said nearly 1,300 claims, its text referred to 1,300 people, and DW said around 1,300 survivors were included in the agreement.2,3
NPR reported that all 1,300 survivors have agreed to the settlement, according to an attorney for some of the plaintiffs. The reports did not say how many survivors have signed the agreement so far.1,2
Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks confirmed to The New York Times on Saturday that the deal would not be finalized until the plaintiffs, the lawyers and the archdiocese all sign it, the New York Post reported.2
Each of the survivors is expected to receive at least $250,000, according to The New York Times, which broke the story. Some larger payouts are possible depending on the extent of the abuse. DW put the $800 million figure at 714 million euros, and the reports did not provide a full breakdown of how the total would be divided.3
"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, an attorney representing survivors, said in a statement. "Through their courage, sacrifice, and determination, survivors have helped bring about a reckoning and a meaningful step toward accountability," the statement added.3
In an email to clergy confirming the settlement, Hicks wrote, "We are on the verge of being able to, please God, bring some measure of healing and reconciliation to all victim-survivors." He added, "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."3
Pope Leo appointed Hicks in December 2025 to replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan. A photo caption in the New York Post said Hicks was installed at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York on Feb. 6, 2026. NPR's photo caption identified the cathedral in Manhattan as the seat of the archdiocese.1,2,3
The archdiocese proposed the agreement in May. The formal signing is set for early November, and the reports did not give a date for when payments would begin.3
The next step is the formal signing. The New York Post reported that the archdiocese will not go forward with the payout until all of the alleged victims sign off on the agreement.2,3
