Wednesday, July 30, 2025

After six years, Rochester Catholic Diocese sex abuse bankruptcy case ends with settlement vote

Hundreds of survivors of the sex abuse bankruptcy case involving the Rochester Catholic Diocese have unanimously voted to accept a $246 million settlement.

The court tallied the votes Tuesday. 

There’s still one final hearing in September, and then the money will be handed out.

Payouts will go to 475 survivors. 

The settlement includes $55 million from the diocese and its parishes, along with $120 million from the holdout insurance company called CNA.

A lawyer previously told News10NBC’s Berkeley Brean that about two-thirds of the votes need to be in favor for the settlement to be accepted, and the bankruptcy judge must also agree.

Carol Dupre, a church abuse survivor, spoke with Brean at the beginning of July about the settlement, saying her and others feel hopeful.

“I’m tired. I feel like I’ve been in a wrestling match for, it’s been more than six years. The case will be a full six years by September,” said Dupre.