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Image: Coat of arms of the Diocese of Camden; via Wikipedia.
The Diocese of Camden has agreed to a $180 million settlement to resolve allegations of clergy sexual abuse, marking one of the most significant financial resolutions involving a Catholic diocese in New Jersey, WHYY reported. Church officials confirmed that the agreement remains subject to approval by the bankruptcy court overseeing the diocese’s Chapter 11 proceedings.
Bishop Joseph Williams announced the settlement in a letter, describing the agreement as a long awaited milestone for survivors. “For the survivors of South Jersey, this day is long overdue and represents a milestone in their journey toward restored justice and the healing and recognition they have long sought and deserve,” Williams wrote.
Advocates for survivors characterized the settlement as a meaningful step forward. Mark Crawford, state director of the Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, said the resolution was overdue but welcomed its conclusion. Crawford praised Williams for engaging with survivors and committing to transparency, contrasting the bishop’s approach with prior diocesan leadership.
“This settlement and this bishop have acted very differently,” Crawford said. “I hope it sends a message that this is possible, that this is right.”
Attorneys representing survivors credited decades of persistence for bringing the case to resolution. One of the lawyers involved in the litigation, described the negotiations as a prolonged and difficult process. “It’s been an extremely long and arduous battle,” stated the attorney.
Diocesan officials have previously indicated that approximately 300 survivors raised claims connected to abuse allegations. The new settlement incorporates funds from earlier agreements reached during the bankruptcy process, including an $87.5 million settlement approved in 2022 involving hundreds of accusers, according to survivors’ attorneys.
The Camden Diocese’s settlement follows years of legal disputes involving state investigations. Less than a year ago, the diocese withdrew its objection to a New Jersey grand jury inquiry examining decades of alleged sexual abuse by clergy and other church personnel. The New Jersey Supreme Court subsequently ruled that the state’s investigation could proceed.
The broader clergy sexual abuse crisis first gained national attention more than two decades ago following revelations involving the Archdiocese of Boston. Since then, Catholic dioceses across the country have paid billions of dollars in settlements. While Camden’s resolution exceeds several earlier East Coast settlements, it remains smaller than some of the largest agreements reached in California. In 2024, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to an $880 million payment to survivors.
Like many dioceses facing extensive litigation tied to historical sexual abuse allegations, the Diocese of Camden sought bankruptcy protection amid a surge of lawsuits enabled by legislative reforms extending statutes of limitations. The diocese covers six counties in southern New Jersey, including communities near Philadelphia.
The settlement must now be reviewed and approved by the bankruptcy court before payments are finalized.
Related News:
Largest Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse Settlements in the United States
Diocese of Camden Moves to Block Grand Jury, NJ High Court Questions Motive
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