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The Diocese of Camden has agreed to a $180 million settlement that would resolve allegations of clergy sexual abuse in South Jersey<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n According to Bishop Joseph Williams, the diocese plans to establish a trust to compensate the more than 300 survivors of abuse who raised claims.\n<\/p>\n In a Feb. 17 letter, Williams shared<\/a>, \u201cFor 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The institution serves more than 475,000 Catholics in 62 churches across Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.<\/a> Its footprint also includes 22 elementary schools, five high schools, a preschool and various charitable organizations.\n<\/p>\n Diocese of Camden restructuring<\/p>\n In 2020, the diocese filed for Chapter 11 protection.<\/a> The bankruptcy came amid a wave of claims after New Jersey expanded the statute of limitations for abuse suits.\n<\/p>\n The new settlement builds on an $87.5 million deal that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey approved in 2024 as part of a restructuring plan.\u00a0The case has been on appeal since, after several insurers sought to overturn the court\u2019s decision amid loophole concerns that could result in those carriers potentially paying more.<\/p>\n Though the court ordered a reworking of the plan to address some of the concerns, several insurers still opposed.\n<\/p>\n The parties then entered mediation. The diocese\u2019s willingness to make an additional contribution to the trust above what the prior settlement required was instrumental in reaching the final resolution with the insurers, according to Roseland-based Lowenstein Sandler LLP.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Lowenstein noted the agreement represents \u201cmore than six times the amount\u201d first proposed in 2021.\n<\/p>\n \u2018A step forward\u2019<\/p>\n Counsel for the survivors\u2019 committee and partner Jeffrey Prol commented, \u201cThe Committee is pleased to have reached a consensual resolution of this long running dispute. I am in awe of the fortitude of these survivors, who have waited years to receive compensation for the horrible wrongs they have suffered.\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe are honored to have stood with them throughout this portion of their protracted struggle, and we are hopeful that resolving this bankruptcy case will prove to be a step forward in their personal recovery journeys.\u201d\n<\/p>\n If the court green lights the plan, the diocese would fund the trust using contributions from its parishes as well as various companies that insured the institution in the past.\n<\/p>\n Williams became the diocese\u2019s ninth bishop in March 2025.<\/a> He said the official committee representing survivors unanimously accepted the plan. Williams also said it received the \u201coverwhelming support\u201d of both the diocese\u2019s college of consultors \u2013 a canonically required advisory body of diocesan priests \u2013 and its finance council.\u00a0He went on to thank his predecessor Bishop Dennis Sullivan for implementing \u201cthe strongest safe environment policies in the country.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no greater way to honor the sufferings of those who have been harmed than to work day-in and day-out to make sure that something like this never happens again,\u201d Williams wrote.\n<\/p>\n A record-setting deal<\/p>\n To the victims, Williams said:\n<\/p>\n Thank you for your courage in coming forward. Without your bravery and persistence, this new day would not have dawned. I am profoundly sorry for what you have suffered. It was a grave sin and a devastating betrayal of the trust you placed in the Church that you loved. I cannot remove the scars you carry nor restore the innocence you lost, but on behalf of my predecessors and the faithful of Camden I can say clearly and without reservation: We believe you, we are sorry and we are committed to walking a different path going forward with you, God willing, at our side.\n<\/p>\n Survivors\u2019 committee chair John Collins commented, \u201cWhile no financial recovery can undo the profound harm suffered by survivors, this settlement represents meaningful progress toward accountability and equitable compensation. The Committee believes it achieves a fair and just outcome under difficult circumstances, and throughout this process our priority has always been to ensure that survivors\u2019 voices were heard and their interests fully protected.\u201d\n<\/p>\n The settlement comes about nine months after Williams moved to drop the diocese\u2019s opposition to the state\u2019s attempt to empanel a grand jury<\/a> to investigate abuse allegations at churches in New Jersey.\n<\/p>\n It\u2019s also the latest agreement in a scandal that began more than two decades ago when the extent of the abuse and efforts to cover it up were first revealed in Boston, The Associated Press reported.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n Other major settlements include:<\/a><\/p>\n Boston Archdiocese \u2013 $85 million in 2003 \u2018A meaningful effort to provide \u2026 justice\u2019<\/p>\n Clergy sexual abuse victims advocacy group SNAP<\/a> [Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests] described the resolution between Camden diocese and its insurers as \u201can important step toward long-overdue accountability and healing.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \u201cFor years, survivors endured painful court proceedings while carrying the lifelong burden of abuse inflicted upon them as children by trusted members of their faith community. SNAP deeply respects the courage of the survivors who came forward to tell their stories of profound betrayal,\u201d the nonprofit said in a press release.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n It also recognized the leadership of Williams. SNAP said his \u201ccommitment to resolving this matter helped bring these protracted negotiations to a conclusion.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \u201cWhile no financial settlement can erase the trauma suffered, this agreement represents a meaningful effort to provide some measure of justice and to affirm that the suffering of survivors will not be ignored,\u201d SNAP said.\n<\/p>\n \u201cEqually important are the nonmonetary commitments, including the promise to release all the files of clerics credibly accused of abuse. SNAP hopes that this resolution contributes to continued transparency and accountability by the church as well as the continued healing of survivors,\u201d the group added.\n<\/p>\n
\nPhiladelphia Archdiocese \u2013 $78 million in 2023
\nLos Angeles Archdiocese \u2013 $880 million in 2024
\nNew Orleans Archdiocese \u2013 $230 million in 2025<\/p>\n