New Jersey Catholic Diocese Agrees to $180 Million Settlement of Clergy Sexual Abuse Allegations

The Diocese of Camden will pay the massive settlement to resolve claims from around 300 survivors of abuse.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Diocese of Camden in New Jersey has agreed to a $180 million settlement to resolve allegations of clergy sexual abuse, one of the largest such settlements in the country. The settlement will cover claims from around 300 survivors of abuse, and comes less than a year after the diocese withdrew its objection to a state grand jury investigation into decades of alleged abuse.

Why it matters

The settlement is a significant development in the ongoing clergy sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the Catholic Church for over two decades. It demonstrates the church's continued efforts to reckon with its past and provide compensation to survivors, though massive settlements like this highlight the scale of the abuse that occurred.

The details

Under the agreement, the Diocese of Camden will pay $180 million to resolve allegations of clergy sexual abuse dating back decades. The diocese had previously agreed to pay $87.5 million to settle claims from around 300 accusers in 2022, and the latest settlement includes those funds. The diocese filed for bankruptcy amid a flood of lawsuits after the statute of limitations was relaxed in New Jersey.

  • The Diocese of Camden announced the $180 million settlement on February 18, 2026.
  • In 2022, the diocese agreed to pay $87.5 million to settle allegations involving clergy sex abuse against some 300 accusers.

The players

Diocese of Camden

A Catholic diocese covering six southern New Jersey counties outside Philadelphia.

Bishop Joseph Williams

The current bishop of the Diocese of Camden who announced the $180 million settlement.

Mark Crawford

The state director of the Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, who praised the bishop and settlement.

Greg Gianforcaro

One of the attorneys representing victims suing the diocese, who credited the survivors' persistence in reaching the agreement.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Bishop Joseph Williams, Bishop of the Diocese of Camden (ksgf.com)

“This settlement and this bishop have acted very differently. I hope it sends a message that this is possible, that this is right.”

— Mark Crawford, State Director, Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests (ksgf.com)

“It's been an extremely long and arduous battle.”

— Greg Gianforcaro, Attorney representing victims (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The settlement agreement must still be approved by a bankruptcy court.

The takeaway

This massive settlement highlights the ongoing reckoning within the Catholic Church over clergy sexual abuse, as dioceses continue to face a torrent of lawsuits and pay out billions to compensate survivors. While the scale of the abuse is staggering, settlements like this one in Camden provide some measure of justice and healing for victims who have long sought accountability.