Catholic Dioceses Reach Massive Settlements for Clergy Abuse

Payouts top hundreds of millions as church faces ongoing reckoning over sexual misconduct

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Catholic dioceses across the United States have agreed to pay out hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements to victims of clergy sexual abuse over the past two decades. The latest $180 million settlement by the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey is just the latest in a long line of massive payouts, with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Archdiocese of New Orleans, Diocese of San Diego, and others reaching settlements ranging from $56 million to $880 million.

Why it matters

The clergy abuse scandal has rocked the Catholic Church for decades, leading to widespread lawsuits, bankruptcy filings, and a reckoning over the church's failure to protect children. These settlements represent an effort by dioceses to take accountability and provide compensation, though the scale of abuse revealed continues to shake the faith of many Catholics.

The details

The settlements stem from abuse claims dating back decades that were allowed to proceed after statutes of limitations were relaxed in many states. Dioceses have filed for bankruptcy in some cases to handle the flood of lawsuits, leading to negotiated payouts to victims. The settlements also often include policy changes intended to prevent future abuse.

  • The Camden diocese settlement was reached in 2026.
  • The Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to a $880 million settlement in 2024.
  • The New Orleans Archdiocese reached a $230 million settlement in December 2025.
  • The Diocese of San Diego agreed to a $198 million settlement in 2007.
  • The Oregon Province of the Jesuits paid $166 million in 2011 to settle claims.

The players

Diocese of Camden

A New Jersey Catholic diocese outside Philadelphia that agreed to pay $180 million in a clergy sexual abuse settlement.

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

A Catholic archdiocese covering Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties that agreed to pay $880 million to more than 1,000 victims of clergy sexual abuse.

New Orleans Archdiocese

A Catholic archdiocese that agreed to pay at least $230 million to hundreds of survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

Diocese of San Diego

A Roman Catholic diocese that agreed in 2007 to pay $198 million to settle more than 140 clergy sexual abuse claims.

Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus

A Jesuit order that agreed in 2011 to pay $166 million to more than 450 Native Americans and Alaska Natives who were abused at the order's schools across the northwestern U.S.

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The takeaway

These massive settlements underscore the immense scale of the clergy abuse crisis facing the Catholic Church, which has been forced to reckon with decades of misconduct and cover-ups. While the payouts provide some compensation to victims, the church's reputation and trust among parishioners continues to suffer as a result of this ongoing scandal.