Catholic Church Lawsuit [2025 Update]

The Catholic Church Lawsuit Is An Active Lawsuit

See If You Qualify!

Catholic Church lawsuits have become one of the largest litigations in U.S. history, with incidents of sexual abuse dating back decades. Survivors have accused clergy members of sexual abuse and coverups. Now, survivors are taking action to hold church officials accountable.

Allegations of child sexual abuse have occurred across the world and involve clergy members at all levels of the institution. Survivors have come forward to demand accountability and action. Catholic Church sexual abuse lawsuits continue to grow nationwide, with new claims filed every year.

This page explains updates related to sexual abuse lawsuits filed against the Catholic Church, who qualifies to file a lawsuit, how the legal claims process works, potential settlement amounts, applicable statutes of limitations, and the rights of survivors.

If you or a loved one were harmed by a Catholic priest, bishop, or other clergy member, you may be eligible to pursue legal action. Taking legal action can drive reform within the church and give survivors a sense of justice. It is estimated the Catholic Church has paid more than $5 billion in settlements to survivors of sexual abuse.

Catholic Church Lawsuit – 2025 Updates

September 8, 2025: New Orleans Archdiocese Agrees to $230 Million Settlement in Sexual Abuse Cases

The New Orleans archdiocese has agreed to a $230 million settlement in a series of sexual abuse lawsuits. The proposed settlement will be distributed among survivors of clergy sexual abuse committed by members of the diocese, which number in the hundreds. The settlement comes after the archdiocese was forced to file for bankruptcy in May 2020, according to reporting by ABC News. Survivors now have until late October to decide whether to accept the settlement, which must be approved by a two-thirds vote.

May 8, 2025: Survivors Issue Letter to Newly Elected Pope Leo XIV

An open letter released by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) urged the newly elected Pope to speak on the scandal plaguing the church and to condemn the actions of clergy members accused of abuse. The letter encourages the Pope to address the legacy of abuse and concealment that has clouded the church for decades.

October 16, 2024: Los Angeles Archdiocese Agrees to $880 Million Settlement in Sexual Abuse Cases

The Los Angeles archdiocese agreed to a $880 million settlement in what was believed to be one of the largest sexual abuse settlements related to the Catholic Church. The settlement would resolve more than 1,500 claims of sexual abuse filed against area Catholic priests over the course of several decades. Previously, the archdiocese had already paid $740 million to victims of sexual abuse at the hands of clergy members.

July 1, 2022: FBI Expands Investigation into Sexual Abuse at New Orleans Catholic Church

The FBI has expanded its investigation into sexual abuse at the Roman Catholic Church in New Orleans. It is alleged that the abuse spanned over the course of decades with over a dozen abuse victims coming forward. It is believed that internal documents could reveal a pattern of negligence and wrongful conduct, including intentional concealment of abuse and the failure to report allegations to authorities.

October 5, 2021: Study Finds 216,000 Children Were Sexually Abused at French Catholic Church

A new study found that, over several decades, approximately 216,000 children were abused by priests and others in the French Catholic Church. The sexual abuse, which mainly involved young boys, occurred at the hands of a few thousand clergy members. The number of sexual abuse survivors could increase to 330,000 if reports of wrongs committed by lay members (such as Catholic school teachers) are included. According to the report, most of the boys were not believed when they came forward with reports of abuse. Additionally, it is alleged that the church knowingly put children in contact with perpetrators of abuse who had claims filed against them.

About the Catholic Church Lawsuit:

What Are the Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawsuits About?

Survivors are filing lawsuits against the Catholic Church and dioceses that accuse church leaders of sexual assault or covering up abuse committed by others. These lawsuits allege church officials protected priests and the reputation of the church over children. Survivors of the abuse have been awarded compensation and increased institutional accountability.

According to extensive research, investigations, and survivor accounts, sexual abuse within the Catholic Church occurred for decades. Thousands of perpetrators abused their position of power, groomed children, and normalized abuse.

Allegations of sexual misconduct date back to at least the 1950s, but little was done for more than 50 years. Lawsuits allege dioceses throughout the world worked systematically to cover up the abuses. This allowed many abusive clergy members to find more victims. Leadership in the church failed to report claims of abuse for years and stills fail to report it to this day. Lawsuits continue to be filed against the church as additional survivors come forward.

Is There a Class Action Lawsuit Against the Catholic Church?

There is not currently a class action lawsuit filed against the Catholic Church. However, some survivors have banded together to seek accountability from specific churches or dioceses.

Typically, lawsuits are filed as individual claims against the specific archdiocese or diocese where the abuse occurred. In some cases, claims may be handled through a bankruptcy settlement. For example, a diocese in Long Island, New York, filed for bankruptcy. As part of the judge’s approval of that deal, the diocese agreed to pay more than $320 million to more than 600 sexual assault survivors.

What Are the Allegations Against the Catholic Church?

Allegations in Catholic Church sexual abuse lawsuits are wide-ranging. Abuse occurred at every level and was facilitated by clergy members who were not abusers. Some of the wrongdoings the Catholic Church is accused of doing include:

• Allowing accused clergy to continue serving in the church
• Failing to investigate accusations of abuse
• Shaming children and families who managed to come forward
• Moving abusive clergy members from one parish to another, allowing the abuse to continue
• Moving abusive priests to parishes in immigrant or minority neighborhoods (referred to as the geographic solution)
• Confirming abuse but covering it up
• Failing to report abuse to law enforcement or other church officials
• Retaliating against survivors

In addition to the abuse, litigation against the Catholic Church suggests that it engaged in institutional corruption, was negligent in its handling of abuse claims, and breached the trust of its members.

Thousands of people have come forward with similar stories of abuse at the hands of clergymen and lay members of the church. Instead of taking the reports of abuse to authorities, the church often concealed the claims. In fact, the Associated Press found that more than 1,700 credibly accused priests still work with children, as teachers, coaches, counselors, or in other capacities.

Survivors accuse the church of prioritizing its reputation over the safety of children and other members. Internal documents and in-depth investigations indicate that leadership knew about the abuse for decades and did little or nothing to stop it.

Who Committed Sexual Abuse Crimes in the Catholic Church?

Priests, bishops, cardinals, friars, deacons, nuns, and other church personnel committed sexual assault against child parishioners. The abuse was perpetrated by a number of clergymen and lay members in various roles throughout the church. When accusations were made against a specific priest or church official, they were often moved to a different location in an effort to hide the abuse, in a process called priest shuffling.

Priests and Parish Leaders

Priests were the most commonly named perpetrators in sexual abuse lawsuits filed against the Catholic Church. According to a thorough data analysis, 95% of all alleged perpetrators are priests, either diocesan or religious (15%).

Those abused included children and adults, but boys were often groomed and abused. Lawsuits allege the priests used their positions of power to gain the trust of their victims. Priests often had unfettered access to their victims at community events, church services, during confession, and at altar servings. In some instances, children were taken across state lines to camps or schools where the abuse continued.

Some lawsuits describe patterns of abuse that occurred in settings outside of the church where adults had authority over children. For example, a priest in Northern California is accused of bringing boys from St. Vincent’s School for Boys and the Hanna Boys Center to a CYO summer camp in the 1980s to abuse them.

Bishops, Deacons, Cardinals, Friars, and Church Officials

In addition to priests and parish leaders, bishops and other high-ranking church officials were also accused of sexual abuse or of actively working to conceal the abuse. According to research, about 4% of leaders named in sexual abuse reports are religious brothers, and 1% are deacons.

Bishops allegedly worked to reassign or relocate troubled priests with reports of abuse filed against them or failed to investigate claims altogether. In some circumstances, survivors report being pressured into silence by Bishops and other church officials. For example, a Bishop in Albany, New York, admitted in court that he actively covered up abuse committed by priests at the Albany Diocese.

Lay Staff and Educators

Priests and church officials were not the only potential perpetrators of sexual abuse in Catholic institutions. According to legal documents, abuse was also perpetrated by lay members of the church, such as educators, youth ministers, nuns, and coaches. These individuals often developed close one-on-one relationships with their victims, gaining their trust while engaging in sexual abuse. The access to children was generally unsupervised, even after a laymember had claims of abuse filed against them.

The sections below may be difficult to read. They include statistics and details that may trigger some survivors. You can skip these sections by clicking this link.

Who Were the Victims of Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church?

Victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church were male and female, young and old. However, most studies show that young boys were at the highest risk of abuse.

Researchers published a study called “Sexual Abuse at the Hands of Catholic Clergy,” where they looked into personnel files of accused and convicted pedophile priests. The study offered some statistics on victims:

• 62.8% of the victims were male (though other investigations have found this number to be much higher)
• 66.7% were under 14 years old when the abuse took place.
• The average duration of the abuse was 1.3 years
• Hands-on and bodily contact occurred in more than 80% of cases

Survivors report suffering long-term mental, physical, and emotional health problems as a result of the abuse. According to a study that examined the long-term health outcomes of church abuse survivors, people abused by church officials were more likely to experience:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Panic attacks
• Phobias
• Substance abuse
• Antisocial behavior
• Violent behavior
• Running away
• Sexual problems
• Revictimization in adulthood
• Prostitution
• Sexual assault perpetration
• Self-harm and suicidal ideation and behavior
• Sleep disorders
• Eating disorders

It is important to remember that survivors who experienced trauma are not to blame for their future behaviors and conditions. This list is meant to reflect the harms done. It in no way places responsibility on the survivors.

Many cannot name or process the abuse until years after the incident. Some do not come forward out of fear, shame, or guilt, a common phenomenon among childhood sexual abuse survivors. Each survivor’s timeline is valid, and some choose not to speak out about their abuse.

Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Statistics

It is believed there may be hundreds of thousands of victims of childhood sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Many cases have gone unreported due to efforts to silence survivors by the institution and shame experienced by survivors.

In January of 2025, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), a research institution at Georgetown University, released a study that examined 20 years of data about abuse in the Catholic Church. The report is titled “Summary of 20 Years of Data Collected Annually for the CARA Survey of Allegations and Costs for U.S. Catholic Dioceses, Eparchies, and Religious Communities of Men.” The report provided demographic information about victims, the breadth of abuse, and money paid by the church.

Here are some statistics from that report about the victims of child sex abuse committed by the Church:

• The report investigated 16,276 credible reports of abuse from 2004 to 2023, though many incidents happened in the decades prior
• In 92% of credible allegations, the abuse occurred before 1990
• 80% of child sex abuse victims in the Catholic Church were male
• 20% of child sex abuse victims in the Catholic Church were female
• 56% of the victims were ages 10 to 14
• 24% of the victims were ages 15 to 17
• 20% of victims were age 9 and younger

Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Statistics About Settlements and Public Opinion:

• Over $5 Billion Paid to Sexual Abuse Victims: Over $5 billion has been paid over the last 20 years to sexual abuse victims within the Catholic Church. Credible allegations against priests or other church officials exceeded 16,000.
• 62% of Catholics Say Sexual Abuse Still a Problem: According to Pew Research, 62% of Catholics surveyed in the U.S. say that sexual abuse and misconduct by priests and bishops remains a problem.
• Almost All Catholics Have Heard of an Abuse Scandal: Pew Research found that 94% of Catholics in the US have heard at least a little about sexual abuse and misconduct in the Catholic Church. According to the same research, 57% said they have heard a lot about the scandal.
• 32% Decline in Allegations: According to a 2024 report, there was a 32% decline in the number of allegations received by dioceses in the U.S. compared to the previous year. The findings show that dioceses received 902 allegations of abuse by 855 survivors from July 1, 2023 until June 30, 2024. The previous year, the church received 1,308 allegations of abuse by 1,254 survivors. While the decline is a positive indication, it still shows a high number of abuse allegations being filed each year.

List of Catholic Churches Accused of Sexual Abuse by State

Allegations of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church extend across state borders. Accusations have been made in many churches against a wide range of perpetrators. Dioceses and archdioceses release information of accused priests gathered at bishopaccountability.org.

Archdioceses and Dioceses that have released information about priests accused of sexual abuse:

• Alabama: Diocese of Birmingham, Archdiocese of Mobile
• Alaska: Archdiocese of Anchorage, Diocese of Fairbanks, Diocese of Juneau
• Arizona: Diocese of Gallup, Diocese of Phoenix, Diocese of Tucson
• Arkansas: Diocese of Little Rock
• California: Diocese of Fresno, Los Angeles Archdiocese, Diocese of Monterey, Diocese of Oakland, Diocese of Orange, Diocese of Sacramento, Diocese of San Bernardino, Diocese of San Diego, Diocese of San Jose, Diocese of Santa Rosa, Diocese of Stockton
• Connecticut: Diocese of Bridgeport, Archdiocese of Hartford, Diocese of Norwich
• Florida: Diocese of Orlando, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Diocese of Saint Augustine, Diocese of Saint Petersburg
• Georgia: Archdiocese of Atlanta, Diocese of Savannah
• Idaho: Diocese of Boise
• Illinois: Augustinian of the Midwest Province, Diocese of Belleville, Marmion Abbey, Archdiocese of Chicago, Diocese of Joliet, Diocese of Peoria, Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
• Indiana: Diocese of Evansville, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Diocese of Gary, Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
• Iowa: Diocese of Davenport, Diocese of Des Moines, Archdiocese of Dubuque, Diocese of Sioux City
• Kansas: Diocese of Dodge City, Archdiocese of Kansas City, Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph, Diocese of Salina
• Kentucky: Diocese of Covington, Diocese of Lexington, Archdiocese of Louisville, Diocese of Owensboro
• Louisiana: Diocese of Alexandria, Diocese of Baton Rouge, Saint Joseph Abbey, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Diocese of Lafayette, Diocese of Lake Charles, Archdiocese of New Orleans, Diocese of Shreveport
• Maryland: Archdiocese of Baltimore
• Massachusetts: Archdiocese of Boston, Diocese of Fall River, Diocese of Springfield
• Michigan: Archdiocese of Detroit, Diocese of Gaylord, Diocese of Kalamazoo, Diocese of Lansing, Diocese of Marquette, Diocese of Saginaw
• Minnesota: Saint John’s Abbey, Crookston Diocese, Diocese of Duluth, Diocese of New Ulm, Diocese of Saint Cloud, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Diocese of Winona-Rochester
• Mississippi: Diocese of Biloxi, Diocese of Jackson
• Missouri: Conception Abbey, Diocese of Jefferson City, Archdiocese of St. Louis, Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
• Montana: Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, Diocese of Helena
• Nebraska: Diocese of Lincoln, Archdiocese of Omaha
• Nevada: Diocese of Las Vegas, Diocese of Reno
• New Hampshire: Diocese of Manchester
• New Jersey: Diocese of Camden, Diocese of Metuchen, Diocese of Newark, Diocese of Paterson, Diocese of Trenton
• New Mexico: Diocese of Las Cruces, Santa Fe Archdiocese, Diocese of Santa Fe
• New York: Diocese of Albany, Diocese of Brooklyn, Diocese of Buffalo, Archdiocese of New York, Diocese of Ogdensburg, Diocese of Rockville Centre, Diocese of Syracuse
• North Carolina: Diocese of Charlotte, Diocese of Raleigh
• North Dakota: Diocese of Bismarck, Diocese of Fargo
• Ohio: Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Diocese of Cleveland, Diocese of Columbus, Diocese of Steubenville, Diocese of Toledo, Diocese of Youngstown
• Oklahoma: Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Diocese of Tulsa
• Oregon: Archdiocese of Portland
• Pennsylvania: Allentown Diocese, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Diocese of Erie, Diocese of Greensburg, Diocese of Harrisburg, Oblates of St. Francis De Sales, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Diocese of Pittsburgh, Diocese of Scranton
• Rhode Island: Diocese of Providence
• South Carolina: Diocese of Charleston
• South Dakota: Diocese of Rapid City, Diocese of Sioux Falls
• Texas: Diocese of Amarillo, Diocese of Austin, Diocese of Beaumont, Diocese of Brownsville, Diocese of Corpus Christi, Diocese of Dallas, Diocese of El Paso, Diocese of Fort Worth, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Diocese of Lubbock, Diocese of San Angelo, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Diocese of Tyler, Diocese of Victoria
• Tennessee: Diocese of Knoxville, Diocese of Memphis, Diocese of Nashville
• Utah: Diocese of Salt Lake City
• Vermont: Diocese of Burlington
• Virginia: Diocese of Arlington, Diocese of Richmond
• Washington: Archdiocese of Seattle, Diocese of Spokane, Diocese of Yakima
• Wisconsin: St. Benedict’s Abbey of Benet Lake, Diocese of Green Bay, Diocese of La Crosse, Diocese of Madison, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Norbertines – St. Norbert’s Abbey, Diocese of Superior
• Wyoming: Diocese of Cheyenne

It is important to note that this list does not contain all of the dioceses implicated in sexual abuse. It is likely that almost every diocese in the nation had priests that sexually abused children.

Who Can File a Sex Abuse Lawsuit Against the Catholic Church?

It is believed that the number of victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church may be in the hundreds of thousands. Survivors are encouraged to come forward even if the abuse happened years ago. New laws in many states extend the amount of time a survivor of childhood sexual abuse has to file a lawsuit.

Eligibility criteria for a Catholic Church sexual abuse lawsuit:

• You are the survivor of sexual abuse perpetrated by a member of the Catholic Church or on its premises
• You suffered damages (e.g., physical, emotional, or mental harm) as a result of the abuse

We realize that filing a lawsuit related to the abuse you suffered as a child is a difficult task. At King Law, we respect the difficulties victims face and are ready to support them with compassion, care, and understanding. We recognize this may feel difficult. You decide what pace and what steps feel right.

What Damages Can I Recover From a Catholic Church Lawsuit?

The injuries caused by child sexual abuse are far-reaching. No amount of money will right the wrongs committed by the Church. Survivors who pursue compensation can feel a sense of autonomy and some semblance of moving forward. The damages survivors of Church sex abuse can sue for include economic and non-economic losses. The best way to determine how much compensation you might receive is to speak to a reputable attorney.

Potential damages in Catholic Church sexual abuse lawsuits:

• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Costs of future treatment
• Expenses related to therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional suffering
• Diminished quality of life

In some cases, survivors may also be eligible for punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed to hold the Catholic Church accountable for its wrongdoing or misconduct, including the concealment of abuse allegations and protection of known abusers.

How Can I File a Catholic Church Lawsuit for Sexual Abuse?

Individuals who meet the eligibility criteria may be able to take legal action against the Catholic Church for sexual abuse they experienced. It is important to talk to an attorney about your filing options, as there may only be a limited amount of time to pursue a lawsuit.

Steps in a Catholic Church lawsuit for sexual abuse:

1. Consult with an experienced attorney.
2. Determine eligibility for a lawsuit or other course of legal action.
3. Gather evidence related to the case, including medical records, proof of church attendance, and personal statements. Our team is here to help you gather this information.
4. File the case in the appropriate courthouse prior to the statute of limitations.
5. Pursue compensation through a negotiated settlement or trial.

Throughout the process, lawyers with King Law and their partners will work tirelessly to protect the confidentiality of all survivors and will pursue justice for those harmed by the negligence or wrongful conduct of church officials.

Estimated Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Settlements and Payouts

Settlements in Catholic Church sexual abuse lawsuits are expected to range substantially depending on the circumstances of the case. Factors may include the severity of the abuse, the impact of the abuse on a survivor’s life, the availability of the evidence, and the responsibility of the Catholic Church. While each case is unique, prior sexual abuse settlements have reached into the hundreds of thousands or millions. While past settlements have ranged from $500,000 to $2 million per person, actual amounts depend on the severity of abuse, evidence, and state law.

What is the Deadline to File a Catholic Church Lawsuit?

Lawsuits against the Catholic Church are governed by a state-specific statute of limitations. These time limits may bar someone from recovery if they are not followed. Many states have recently extended or temporarily suspended these legal deadlines to allow survivors of sexual abuse to come forward. However, it is important to act so that your claim is not denied based on missed deadlines. An attorney can help determine what statute of limitations is applicable.

Why Hire King Law For Your Catholic Church Lawsuit

King Law has extensive experience handling sexual abuse and clergy sexual abuse cases. The firm has a proven track record of securing results for survivors of abuse. Attorneys with the firm understand how difficult it may be for victims of abuse to come forward, but they will work hard to protect confidentiality while pursuing justice on every client’s behalf. King Law combines the resources of a large law firm necessary to take on the Catholic Church with the client-focused, tailored representation survivors need.

Contact a Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today

Survivors of Catholic Church sexual abuse are encouraged to contact us at (585) 270-8882 to schedule a free, confidential consultation and work with an experienced attorney. King Law will pursue justice on your behalf and work hard to hold parties accountable for their wrongdoing. Call now to determine whether you are eligible to file a claim and what deadlines may affect your case. Do not wait. Survivors may only have a limited amount of time to seek compensation.

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