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Photo: Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester, NY; via Wikipedia.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester has agreed to a $246 million settlement with hundreds of clergy sex abuse survivors, concluding a major chapter in a bankruptcy case that has dragged on for nearly six years, ABC 13 affiliate WHAM reported.
The deal includes a $120 million contribution from Continental Insurance Company, the last major insurer to settle with the diocese. The agreement, reached through negotiations with the official committee representing survivors, comes after the 2019 bankruptcy filing that followed a flood of lawsuits filed under New York’s Child Victims Act. That law temporarily suspended the statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse claims, allowing thousands of survivors across the state to pursue justice, many for the first time.
This settlement is one of the largest for a Catholic diocese in a mid-sized U.S. city, reflecting the widespread impact of abuse cases stretching back decades. Nearly 500 survivors are expected to be compensated from the fund.
A plaintiff’s attorney involved in the case said the settlement represents an effort to provide both compensation and closure. Survivors have waited years as legal proceedings unfolded in bankruptcy court, with some attending hearings to witness the final steps of accountability.
One survivor who attended the most recent hearing described the experience as emotionally overwhelming. The courtroom, they wrote in a public comment, was filled with raw feeling as years of silence, fear, and trauma were acknowledged at last. Abused as a foster child between the ages of 5 and 15, the survivor recalled being threatened into silence and later validated by a diocesan investigator. Their message called out skepticism around claims as harmful and discouraging to others who may still be struggling to come forward.
The survivor also lamented that, like many other institutions, the Church failed to expose its abusers to law enforcement when it had the chance.
The settlement follows similar bankruptcy resolutions in dioceses across the U.S., including Buffalo and Rockville Centre, which have also been grappling with the financial and moral aftermath of the Church’s widespread abuse crisis. Unlike larger archdioceses in cities like Boston or New York, Rochester’s Catholic community is smaller in population but still bore hundreds of abuse allegations. This reflects how pervasive the problem was across institutions regardless of size or visibility.
While the funds may bring some relief, the emotional weight of abuse endures for many survivors. Yet for those who have been validated and heard — in court, through legal channels, or by fellow survivors — this chapter represents more than just financial compensation. It’s about acknowledgment, accountability, and reclaiming power.
If you’re a survivor of clergy sexual abuse and have questions about your legal rights or the next steps in filing a claim, visit our Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Guide. If you’re seeking a New York State sexual abuse attorney, you can learn more about state law and how we may help connect you with legal help.
Finally, if you’re ready to share your story without judgement, you can get a free case review. Fill out the brief, confidential form below.
