The Archdiocese of New York is establishing a $300 million fund to provide compensation for approximately 1,300 survivors of clergy sexual abuse. The initiative will involve financial measures such as budget reductions and the sale of assets, including the archdiocese’s former Manhattan headquarters. Cardinal Timothy Dolan described the fund as an effort to address the harm experienced by survivors. An archdiocese spokesperson stated that the fund is intended to cover most, if not all, of the claims, as reported by ABC7NY.
The New York Archdiocese has appointed retired Judge Daniel J. Buckley to mediate settlement discussions. Buckley previously oversaw the process that led to an $880 million settlement between the Los Angeles Archdiocese and abuse survivors. Cardinal Dolan addressed past failures, asking for absolution “for the failing of those who betrayed the trust placed in them,” in an effort to promote the safety of youth, according to The Guardian.
The New York Archdiocese’s settlement initiative coincides with similar developments elsewhere. On the same day, the New Orleans Archdiocese announced a $305 million payout to survivors following a bankruptcy filing in response to related claims. Unlike the Los Angeles and New York archdioceses, New Orleans sought bankruptcy protection, citing the financial impact of these claims. The New York Archdiocese’s decision to negotiate settlements occurs amid pending civil litigation, with trials expected to begin in 2026.
The New York Archdiocese’s settlement efforts are complicated by a legal dispute with Chubb insurance companies over coverage for the abuse claims. Chubb has declined to provide compensation, stating that the policies were not intended to cover “knowingly allowing a pattern of abuse to persist” and calling for greater transparency from the archdiocese. The company also accused the archdiocese of historically tolerating and concealing child sexual abuse. Attorney Jeff Anderson, representing numerous survivors, has called for full disclosure of past abuses and the implementation of measures to prevent future incidents, with details published by The Guardian.
