The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse has reached a landmark $100 million settlement with individuals who have brought forth allegations of sexual abuse. This agreement comes as part of the diocese's ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, which began in 2020 in response to a wave of lawsuits following New York's temporary lift of the statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse claims.

Bishop Douglas Lucia acknowledged the immense suffering of the survivors in an open letter, emphasizing that the settlement amount, while substantial, pales in comparison to the trauma endured by those abused by individuals in positions of trust.

The settlement encompasses 411 claims made by 387 individuals. An independent reviewer will be appointed to assess each claim and distribute funds accordingly. The financial burden of the settlement will be shared, with the diocese contributing $50 million, parishes providing $45 million, and other diocesan entities covering the remaining $5 million. Notably, this agreement does not involve the six insurance companies that provided coverage to the diocese.

This settlement marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battles involving Catholic dioceses across New York. Six of the eight dioceses in the state have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Negotiations are ongoing between the Syracuse diocese and the committee of unsecured creditors to bolster child protection measures. While this settlement signifies a step towards accountability, legal proceedings involving insurance companies are still pending. An attorney representing the victims acknowledged the settlement as a substantial move towards justice, but emphasized that the fight continues.