New Orleans Archdiocese to Pay At Least $230M to Settle Clergy Abuse Claims
New Orleans, LA - The Archdiocese of New Orleans has significantly increased its settlement offer to survivors of clergy sexual abuse to at least $230 million, a substantial rise from initial estimates and a response to recent legal changes. The agreement, still subject to court approval as part of the archdiocese’s bankruptcy proceedings, aims to resolve claims from hundreds of individuals alleging abuse by Catholic clergy.The increased offer reflects a shift in the legal landscape following a 2021 Louisiana law that removed a statute of limitations preventing long-ago abuse survivors from pursuing civil damages. Previously, the archdiocese had estimated a potential settlement as low as $7 million, based on the prior legal restrictions. The Louisiana Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the 2021 law in June 2024, solidifying survivors’ ability to seek redress.
The settlement will see individual payouts steadfast by an autonomous claims administrator and a trustee, assessing each case based on its specific circumstances. This follows a similar resolution in the Archdiocese of Rockville center,New York,which paid approximately $323 million to roughly 600 survivors.
Initially, Archbishop Gregory Aymond informed Vatican officials the New Orleans bankruptcy could be settled for as little as $7 million, relying on the former legal limitations.However, the legislative change and subsequent court ruling dramatically altered the financial outlook.
“We acknowledge the courage of the survivors who have stood against the forces of darkness,” stated attorney Jeff Anderson, representing some of the survivors, in a released statement. “This is some relief, but it is far from the full satisfaction of the archdiocese’s obligations. This is an possibility for the survivors to find some comfort while continuing to pursue claims against Travelers Insurance.”
