The $800 million Archdiocese of New York settlement has no new claim-filing deadline because it resolves about 1,300 existing abuse claims. Those claimants unanimously approved the deal on Oct. 24, 2026, closing the covered group. The Child Victims Act is the 2019 New York law that allowed older childhood abuse lawsuits to be filed.
The Associated Press via National Catholic Reporter reported the $800 million agreement covering clergy and lay-worker claims in its Oct. 25 settlement report. It is the second-largest U.S. archdiocesan abuse settlement after Los Angeles's $880 million 2024 deal.
Official resources:
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Table of Contents
- Who does the $800 million cover?
- Is there a new deadline to file?
- Which dates still matter?
- What happens after signing?
Who does the $800 million cover?
The deal covers all outstanding claims against the Archdiocese of New York, its parishes and affiliated agencies. The framework for that broad release was first announced in May 2026. Attorneys for hundreds of victims said unanimity was established Oct.
24. CNA/EWTN via the National Catholic Register described the unanimous-approval requirement for roughly 1,300 claimants in its October settlement coverage. No holdouts remained in that group.
Is there a new deadline to file?
There is no new intake period under this settlement. It settles lawsuits already pending after more than seven years of litigation. The prior filing opportunity for time-barred claims has passed.
The Tablet explained that the Child Victims Act extended civil filing to age 55 and opened a revival window that closed Aug. 14, 2021, in its Oct. 26 settlement report. Readers with a new allegation fall outside this $800 million group.
Which dates still matter?
Plaintiffs' attorneys announced the agreement Oct. 24, 2026. Archbishop Ronald Hicks confirmed it that same day in an email to clergy.
The deal was not yet final at announcement. Formal signing was scheduled for the week of Nov. 6, 2026, and finality depends on that signing. Claimants in the group should watch for confirmation that signing occurred.
What happens after signing?
The settlement lets the archdiocese avoid a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Attorneys said bankruptcy would have delayed and likely reduced survivor payments. The $800 million does not end insurer liability.
Reuters reporting noted that survivors retain the right to litigate separately against the Church's insurers for additional payouts in its Oct. 24 approval report. That separate insurer track is the remaining path for added compensation.