Catholic Archdiocese of New York proposes $800 million settlement to resolve more than 1,300 clergy sex abuse claims
The Catholic Archdiocese of New York has reached a proposed $800 million settlement aimed at resolving more than 1,300 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by clergy members.
The agreement comes just months into Archbishop Ronald Hicks's tenure. It would, if approved, bring an end to years of litigation stemming from claims filed after state law changes in 2019 allowed survivors of childhood sexual abuse to pursue long-delayed cases.
Among those involved is Joseph Caramanno of Staten Island, who sued the archdiocese and his former high school, St. Joseph by the Sea, alleging he was sexually abused by a priest in 2001 when he was 16 years old. His case is part of the broader wave of lawsuits that followed the legal change.
Caramanno said the proposed settlement brings a measure of relief after years of waiting.
“It’s been almost six years, and it does bring me a sense of relief knowing that, OK, this is where we are headed,” he said.
He is one of more than 1,300 claimants who filed suit against the archdiocese under the expanded statute of limitations. He said the long legal process has been isolating as survivors waited for a resolution.
“It’s just been me in these six years waiting to hear something about my case and these other cases,” he said.
Under the proposed agreement, the archdiocese would also publicly disclose the names of clergy members with credible allegations of abuse. Caramanno said that provision is especially important to him, calling it a potential step toward accountability and prevention.
“That is something that brings me a little bit more closure,” he said, adding that he hopes it helps prevent future abuse.
Court filings in his case include a statement from a school principal who said they never witnessed or received reports of abuse involving the accused priest.
To help fund earlier stages of potential payouts, the archdiocese previously sold real estate and reduced staffing, raising hundreds of millions of dollars toward the expected total.
Settlement discussions began under Cardinal Timothy Dolan and continued under Archbishop Ronald Hicks, who assumed leadership earlier this year. In a letter, Hicks said reaching an agreement would allow victims to receive compensation sooner and avoid the risk of bankruptcy proceedings.
“It cannot be denied that this has been a painful process — most significantly so for the victim-survivors and their families and loved ones who have suffered, in most cases, for decades,” Hicks wrote.
An attorney representing survivors said negotiations are ongoing and depend on final agreement from all sides, while Caramanno said he is prepared to accept a resolution to avoid further delays.
“I would rather it be over and done with,” he said.
Caramanno said he stepped away from the Catholic Church for a period but has since reconnected with his faith and now attends Mass in Brooklyn, describing the process as gradual but meaningful.
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