$229M Archdiocese of New Orleans sexual abuse settlement

The Archdiocese of New Orleans has proposed a $229 million settlement to resolve sexual abuse claims filed against it and 157 related Catholic organizations through a joint bankruptcy plan.

The proposed Archdiocese of New Orleans settlement will benefit individuals who validly claim they were sexually abused by clergy or church personnel, according to a legal notice for the plan.

If you or your child experienced sexual abuse or misconduct by an educator, church member, or other authority figure, you may be eligible to take legal action. Learn more about filing a sex abuse lawsuit in California or an LDS sex abuse lawsuit in Colorado.

The Archdiocese’s plan proposes to pay $229 million to settle the sexual abuse claims. This includes $130 million in immediate cash from the archdiocese and Catholic entities, $20 million in additional payments from the Archdiocese and Catholic entities, and $50 million in additional payments from the archdiocese and Catholic entities, and approximately $29 million from insurance company settlements.

“If you believe you were sexually abused in connection with the Archdiocese or any Catholic Entities, you may have an opportunity to vote on a bankruptcy plan that governs how claims will be funded and paid,” the notice states.

Under the joint plan, qualifying sexual abuse claims would be compensated through a settlement trust that would only move forward if two-thirds of abuse claimants vote to accept the plan.

According to the notice, once the plan is approved, claimants would be unable to sue the Archdiocese, Catholic entities or any settling insurers in the future for sexual abuse that occurred before the respective bankruptcy filings.

A bankruptcy court judge overseeing the case has set a hearing for Nov. 17, 2025, to consider confirmation of the joint plan.

The deadline to submit a claim for compensation is 11:59 p.m. Central time on Dec. 2, 2025. Claims already submitted on or before Aug. 14, 2025, will automatically be considered.

Who’s Eligible

The proposed Archdiocese of New Orleans settlement will benefit individuals who validly claim they were sexually abused by clergy or church personnel, in accordance with the terms of the legal notice for the plan.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Claims must be submitted using the Additional Debtors’ Abuse Proof of Claim Form.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

12/02/2025

Case Name

In re: The Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Debtor; Case No. 20-10846; Section “A”, Chapter 11; United States Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Louisiana.

Final Hearing

11/17/2025

Settlement Website

Bankruptcy.AngeionGroup.com

Claims Administrator

Donlin, Recano & Company, LLC
Re: The Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans
P.O. Box 2053
New York, NY 10272- 2042
[email protected]
877-476-4389

Class Counsel

Omer F. Kuebel
Bradley C. Knapp
W. Steven Bryant
TROUTMAN PEPPER LOCKE LLP

James I. Stang
Iain A.W. Nasatir
Andrew W. Caine
Karen B. Dine
PACHULSKI STANG ZIEHL & JONES LLP

Paul D. Stewart
William S. Robbins
Brandon A. Brown
Brooke W. Altazan
Jamie D. Cangelosi
STEWART ROBBINS BROWN & ALTAZAN, LLC

Defense Counsel

R. Patrick Vance
Elizabeth J. Futrell
Mark A. Mintz
Samantha A. Oppenheim
JONES WALKER LLP