The Archdiocese of New York has announced that it will enter into talks aimed at reaching a settlement for 1,300 victims who say priests and lay staff abused them as children. To fund these payouts, the diocese is setting a goal of raising $300 million and is cutting costs sharply—reducing its operating budget by 10%, laying off staff, and selling property, including its former headquarters on First Avenue in Manhattan.
In a public letter to the press, Cardinal Timothy Dolan explained that the archdiocese has met with attorneys representing survivors in hopes of a global settlement, and that a former Los Angeles judge, Daniel J Buckley, will act as a “neutral mediator.” Buckley has experience negotiating worldwide settlements for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which involved over 1,000 victims.
Dolan wrote that the long‑standing sexual abuse of minors has shamed the Church and apologized for the failure of those who betrayed the trust of young people by not ensuring their safety. He added, “I once again ask forgiveness for the failing of those who betrayed the trust placed in them by failing to provide for the safety of our young people.”
Survivors’ lawyer Jeff Anderson praised the diocese’s willingness to “take a step in the right direction,” but noted that a definitive agreement has not yet been reached. Anderson said, “There is no agreement at all — what we do have is a proposal for a process by which you go into mediation.” He added that the archdiocese’s readiness to engage in serious negotiation is welcomed by those who represent the survivors: “Any time the church shows a willingness to engage in serious negotiation, all of us who represent survivors are eager to work together toward that end. We are hopeful that we can and that we will.”
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