BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo has reached a $150 million settlement with more than 800 survivors of sexual abuse.
The settlement involves parishes and schools connected to decades of abuse by clergy, lay employees, religious and volunteers within the eight counties of Western New York. Although the settlement amount still needs creditor vote and court approval, it has been accepted by the Committee, meaning each survivor would receive about $187,000.
"This settlement in principle between the Committee and the Diocese represents an essential milestone on this protracted and arduous journey, and importantly, enables us to finally provide a measure of financial restitution to victim-survivors, which has been our primary objective all along," explained Bishop Michael W. Fisher. "While indeed a steep sum, no amount of money can undo the tremendous harm and suffering the victim survivors have endured, or eliminate the lingering mental, emotional, and spiritual pain they have been forced to carry throughout their lives."
That $150 million settlement does not include the insurance companies. Mediation between insurance companies and survivors starts Tuesday, which could result in even more money for those survivors.
That hearing is set to take place on Tuesday at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Bishop Michael Fisher was asked about the settlement and what he would say to Western New Yorkers on Voices on Monday evening:
"Have patience, be hopeful, certainly I'm still under the mediation privilege here, but there will be more to come."
Embedded below are documents filed Monday in the United States Bankruptcy Court:
The diocese has been in a state of crisis since August 2018, when a whistleblower came forward and leaked internal church documents to 7 News. Those documents led to many I-Team investigations that looked into possible efforts by then-Bishop Richard Malone to cover up allegations of sexual abuse.
WATCH BELOW: THE ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION
Since the original investigation, the diocese has substantiated claims of abuse against dozens of priests. You can find the full list embedded below:
In January 2019, the New York State Legislature passed a series of historic reforms that allowed survivors of child sexual abuse to seek justice through the court system once they became adults. Later that summer, the window opened that allowed survivors to file claims, and the courts were flooded with clergy sexual abuse lawsuits.
In December 2019, more than a year after the I-Team revealed Malone mishandled sexual abuse cases, Malone announced he was resigning from office.
The diocese declared bankruptcy in 2020 as it faced nearly 250 sex abuse lawsuits. With attendance declining and lawsuits looming, the diocese later announced it was selling, merging or closing several of its properties. In September 2024, the diocese announced that 118 worship sites would remain open following a merger/closure review.
A month later, the protections within the 2020 bankruptcy declaration were lifted as the diocese began paying off its debts. The settlement will be paid through unrestricted funds of the diocese and individual parishes, as well as contributions from members of Catholic affiliates.