Brooklyn Catholic Diocese moves to settle 1,100 child abuse lawsuits through mediation

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn has announced plans to settle the remaining 1,100 lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse by priests and church staff. The move represents a major step in the diocese’s effort to resolve long-running litigation and avoid years of additional court battles.

In a letter to the faithful, Bishop Robert J. Brennan said the Church aims to “resolve expeditiously all meritorious claims” and reduce the emotional strain that survivors would face through individual trials.

Reactions to the settlement effort have been mixed. Survivors said that while no compensation can undo the harm, financial recognition can still help victims move forward. At the same time, skepticism remains among survivors and their legal representatives.


Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who represents 25 survivors in cases against the diocese, said many clients remain cautious and unsure whether the compensation program will be fair or provide meaningful validation, according to NBC New York.

Another plaintiffs’ attorney, Nahid A. Shaikh of Jeff Anderson & Associates, said the mediation suggests the Church recognizes that prolonged courtroom battles are “neither morally defensible nor sustainable.”

The diocese confirmed that it has already paid more than 500 victims over $100 million in compensation through earlier settlements. To fund the remaining cases, church officials said they plan to rely on insurance coverage, cost-cutting measures, and the sale or leasing of real estate assets.

Importantly, the diocese stated that parish donations and offerings will not be used to fund the settlements.

The settlement announcement comes amid recent Catholic school closures across Brooklyn and Queens. Church leaders said the closures are tied to declining enrollment rather than the abuse settlement process.

However, officials acknowledged that some school buildings may be monetized through sales or leases as part of broader financial restructuring.

One of the primary goals of the settlement is to avoid lengthy trials, especially as many survivors and accused clergy are aging or have died.