US Catholic Diocese Settles Sex Abuse Claims with $320 Million Payout
A US Roman Catholic diocese has finalized a bankruptcy settlement involving approximately 600 individuals who have accused clergy members of abuse. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Rockville Center diocese in Long Island, New York has reached a deal to settle a bankruptcy case, agreeing to pay $323 million to approximately 600 plaintiffs who allege they were abused by priests during their childhoods.
This agreement, announced on Thursday, was reported by a law firm representing the survivors. The diocese had previously proposed a $200 million settlement to the plaintiffs, which was refused.
“After nearly four years we do have a global resolution,” Corrine Ball stated to US Bankruptcy Court Judge Martin Glenn in Manhattan. The judge acknowledged that the agreement signified “enormous progress” and noted that it came “within a hair’s breadth” of failure.
Of the total settlement, Rockville Center will contribute $234.8 million, while four insurers will add $85.3 million, according to a spokesperson for the diocese.
Adam Slater, an attorney representing around 100 survivors, informed News 12 Long Island that this settlement marks the largest diocese settlement in New York state history.
“The diocese’s goal has always been the equitable compensation of survivors of abuse while allowing the church to continue her essential mission,” said Diocese spokesperson Eric Fasano to News 12.
Serving about 1.2 million Catholics in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Rockville Center stands as the largest Roman Catholic diocese in the U.S. to declare bankruptcy. It filed for insolvency in New York in October 2020, citing the financial burden of lawsuits related to decades-old cases of child sexual abuse. At that time, the diocese expressed concerns that potential payouts from the New York State Child Victims Act could lead to its financial collapse.
In recent years, over 20 Catholic dioceses have reportedly sought bankruptcy protection after New York and other states passed laws that temporarily allowed childhood victims of sexual abuse to pursue legal action regardless of when the alleged incidents occurred.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
This agreement, announced on Thursday, was reported by a law firm representing the survivors. The diocese had previously proposed a $200 million settlement to the plaintiffs, which was refused.
“After nearly four years we do have a global resolution,” Corrine Ball stated to US Bankruptcy Court Judge Martin Glenn in Manhattan. The judge acknowledged that the agreement signified “enormous progress” and noted that it came “within a hair’s breadth” of failure.
Of the total settlement, Rockville Center will contribute $234.8 million, while four insurers will add $85.3 million, according to a spokesperson for the diocese.
Adam Slater, an attorney representing around 100 survivors, informed News 12 Long Island that this settlement marks the largest diocese settlement in New York state history.
“The diocese’s goal has always been the equitable compensation of survivors of abuse while allowing the church to continue her essential mission,” said Diocese spokesperson Eric Fasano to News 12.
Serving about 1.2 million Catholics in Nassau and Suffolk counties, Rockville Center stands as the largest Roman Catholic diocese in the U.S. to declare bankruptcy. It filed for insolvency in New York in October 2020, citing the financial burden of lawsuits related to decades-old cases of child sexual abuse. At that time, the diocese expressed concerns that potential payouts from the New York State Child Victims Act could lead to its financial collapse.
In recent years, over 20 Catholic dioceses have reportedly sought bankruptcy protection after New York and other states passed laws that temporarily allowed childhood victims of sexual abuse to pursue legal action regardless of when the alleged incidents occurred.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
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