BUFFALO (NY)
WIVB [Buffalo NY]
April 21, 2025
By Katie Skoog and Dave Greber
The Diocese of Buffalo agreed to pay $150 million to settle over 800 claims of sexual abuse, sources confirmed to WIVB News 4 on Monday. The settlement follows years of efforts to reach an agreement of compensation for victims, and the Diocese’s bankruptcy filing in 2020.
The claims were a large factor in the Diocese’s decision to close and merge churches across Western New York over the past year, along with declining number of priests and parishioners.
According to an update filed to the court by co-mediators on Monday, the agreement consists of “specific and economic terms and various non-economic terms.” The update also said a certain amount of money will be “payable on the effective date” of a confirmed plan and the rest of the funds will be paid afterward on a “tiered interest schedule.” The monetary amount was not specified in the update.
One year after state lawmakers passed the Child Victims Act in 2019, the Diocese filed for bankruptcy and victims started filing sexual abuse claims against it. In October 2023, the Diocese originally offered $100 million to settle the sexual abuse cases.
Around 600 of the abuse cases involved clerics. Some of the clerics had multiple allegations against them.
Approximately 54 parishes were originally affected by the Diocese’s downsizing announcement last May. Last August, there were 52 different counterproposals from parish families, Bishop Michael Fisher said at the time.
Save Our Buffalo Churches, a group that advocates for keeping local churches open, announced earlier this month that, along with two churches in Buffalo, 14 additional churches will remain open after the Vatican accepted its appeals.
Other cuts the Diocese made was to its insurance services department, which was officially eliminated at the end of August.
Dioceses in other areas of New York, including Syracuse and Rochester, also announced settlements with sexual abuse victims in recent years, though the number of claims were smaller than Buffalo’s.
There will be a hearing regarding the settlement in federal court at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Buffalo.
The parties involved in the mediation agreed to continue “negotiating in good faith on open issues related to the settlement,” according to the update filed by co-mediators. Two mediation sessions are also scheduled for April 22 and 23.
News 4 reached out to Steve Boyd, who represents the victims, and Jeff Anderson & Associates PA for comment. An attorney said they are reserving commenting on the settlement until the hearing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.