New York archdiocese nears $800M settlement with 1,300 abuse survivors

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Archdiocese of New York is nearing an agreement to pay more than $800 million to settle sexual abuse claims brought by about 1,300 people who say they were abused by clergy members, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

Lawyers representing the survivors said Friday they finalized the settlement and received approval from all plaintiffs. A spokesperson for the archdiocese, however, said the agreement was still being finalized.

Under the proposed deal, each survivor would have the option of receiving a lump sum of at least $250,000 or a potentially higher amount based on an assessment of their individual claims.

Negotiations were complicated by disagreements among some survivors, who felt the proposed compensation did not fully reflect the harm they had suffered.

According to their lawyers, an additional $20 million was secured through negotiations with an insurer and would be distributed among a small group of plaintiffs who had not accepted the main settlement.

Paul Mones, an attorney representing 33 survivors, praised their determination, saying they endured years of pain and struggle to reach this stage.

The agreement also includes measures beyond financial compensation. The archdiocese would be required to publish the names of clergy members and lay leaders credibly accused of sexual abuse on its website and update the list as additional allegations are substantiated.

Berk Kutay Gökmen