Largest Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse Settlements in the United States

Catholic dioceses and religious orders across the country have paid billions of dollars to resolve claims brought by survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Many of these settlements followed legislative changes extending statutes of limitations, while others were negotiated through bankruptcy proceedings designed to address large volumes of claims.

1. Los Angeles Archdiocese
   
   In 2024, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to pay $880 million to more than 1,000 survivors of clergy sexual abuse. The settlement added to prior payouts exceeding $740 million, bringing the archdiocese’s total compensation to more than $1.5 billion. The agreement reflected decades of litigation involving allegations spanning multiple generations. [LEARN MORE]
   
   
2. New Orleans Archdiocese
   
   The Archdiocese of New Orleans agreed to a settlement valued at at least $230 million to compensate hundreds of survivors. The resolution was reached within Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings initiated in 2020. In addition to financial compensation, the agreement included commitments aimed at strengthening abuse prevention measures. [LEARN MORE]
   
   
3. Diocese of San Diego
   
   In 2007, the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego paid $198 million to resolve more than 140 clergy sexual abuse claims. Years later, the diocese filed for bankruptcy again after approximately 400 additional lawsuits were filed under California’s temporarily expanded filing window for childhood sexual abuse survivors.
   
   
4. Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus
   
   In 2011, the Jesuit order agreed to pay $166 million to more than 450 Native American and Alaska Native survivors who reported sexual abuse at church run schools across the Northwestern United States. The order had previously paid $50 million in 2007 to settle additional claims in Alaska.
   
   
5. Diocese of Orange
   
   The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange reached a $100 million settlement in 2004 involving approximately 90 survivors. Subsequent litigation resulted in additional payments. The settlement addressed allegations of sexual abuse by clergy members and became one of the earliest large scale resolutions in California.
   
   
6. Archdiocese of Portland
   
   The Archdiocese of Portland became the first Catholic diocese in the United States to file for bankruptcy due to clergy sexual abuse litigation in 2004. By the conclusion of the proceedings, the archdiocese had settled more than 300 claims and paid nearly $90 million in survivor compensation and related costs.
   
   
7. Archdiocese of Boston
   
   In 2003, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston agreed to pay $85 million to resolve more than 500 clergy sexual abuse lawsuits. The Boston cases sparked national and international investigations, exposing patterns of abuse and institutional concealment that contributed to sweeping legal reforms.
   
   
8. Diocese of Covington
   
   In 2006, the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky, paid more than $81 million to more than 200 survivors. A later diocesan report documented allegations involving dozens of priests and church affiliated individuals dating back to the mid twentieth century.
   
   
9. Archdiocese of Philadelphia
   
   As of recent public disclosures, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has paid more than $78 million to resolve hundreds of clergy sexual abuse claims. Additional settlements have continued as survivors pursue compensation under extended filing deadlines.
   
   
10. Diocese of Wilmington
    
    In 2011, the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington agreed to pay $77 million to resolve claims involving approximately 150 survivors. The settlement was negotiated through bankruptcy court proceedings and addressed allegations spanning several decades.
    
    
11. Diocese of Oakland
    
    The Diocese of Oakland reached a $56 million settlement in 2005 involving 56 survivors. The diocese later filed for bankruptcy after California enacted legislation reopening filing windows for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, prompting a renewed surge of lawsuits.
    
    

These settlements illustrate the profound legal and financial consequences faced by Catholic institutions as survivors continue to pursue accountability. Bankruptcy filings, compensation programs, and negotiated resolutions remain central to how dioceses address historical sexual abuse allegations.

SOURCE: Associated Press