New York Archdiocese Will Negotiate Sex-Abuse Settlement for 1,300 Accusers

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York announced it is raising at least $300 million to negotiate a settlement with roughly 1,300 individuals who allege they were sexually abused as minors by priests and staff. The archdiocese has agreed on a mediator, Daniel J. Buckley, and is raising funds by cutting costs and selling assets, including its Manhattan headquarters. While a final settlement amount is not yet determined, this marks the first time the archdiocese has shown a willingness to engage in a comprehensive resolution process, according to lawyer Jeff Anderson, who represents 300 accusers.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan acknowledged the “shame” brought upon the church by past abuse and apologized for the failures that allowed it to occur. The announcement coincides with a similar settlement in New Orleans, where the archdiocese will pay at least $230 million to abuse survivors. The New York Archdiocese, the second largest in the country with 2.5 million Catholics, has been grappling with a surge in claims following the passage of the Child Victims Act and Adult Survivors Act in 2019 and 2022.

The archdiocese’s efforts to settle claims have been complicated by a legal dispute with its insurance provider, Chubb, which refuses to cover settlements related to concealed criminal activities. Chubb maintains its insurance covers accidents, not knowingly allowing abuse to persist. The archdiocese has already reduced its budget, fired employees, and sold significant real estate to fund the potential settlement.

(Source：Gv Wire)