Between 2019 and 2021, nearly 900 survivors came forward against the Diocese of Buffalo under New York’s Child Victims Act (CVA). This was one of the highest claim totals of any Catholic diocese in the country, producing a $274 million settlement plan. It was the second largest of its kind in New York State history at the time of filing, with the total projected to grow beyond $300 million as additional insurance carriers join the settlement.[1], [2]
But what made this case even more heartbreaking was the documented cover-up. This scandal isn’t only about the perpetrators, but also about the Diocese of Buffalo’s failure to disclose the abuse and its extent. As a result, some victims had to wait years or even decades to get a resolution, while others may have been suffering due to ongoing, unreported abuse.
Sadly, the scale of the abuse and ensuing institutional failure has affected many families. If you are a victim of Buffalo Diocese abuse, this article will help you understand where the Buffalo Diocese lawsuit currently stands and what options you may have to seek resolution and support.
Key Takeaways
- Buffalo Catholic Diocese abuse lasted for decades and involved approximately 891 filed claims and a $274 million settlement plan, with the total projected to exceed $300 million as additional insurers contribute. Not all filed claims are expected to qualify for a payout.[1], [2]
- The diocese has published a list of priests with “substantiated claims of abuse” against them on its website.
- Survivors who filed CVA claims will need to vote on the final settlement plan; individual payouts will be determined by a claim’s administrator based on each survivor’s specific circumstances.[14]
- Pre-settlement funding can provide financial relief during your Buffalo Diocese lawsuit, so you can focus on getting the justice you deserve.
Decades of Abuse in the Buffalo Diocese and the Cover-Up That Enabled It
The allegations from victims stem from decades of sexual abuse at the hands of priests, deacons, and other diocesan employees. The known Buffalo Catholic diocese abuse spanned from the 1950s through the 2000s.
The story erupted into a scandal centered around the deliberate concealment of abuse, which reached the highest levels of church leadership. The Buffalo Diocese lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General (AG) Letitia James “identified more than two dozen diocesan priests who were credibly accused of abuse,” but not referred to the Vatican for removal.[3]
The public first learned of the abuse and cover-up in 2018, when retired priest Rev. Norbert Orsolits admitted that he had molested “probably dozens” of boys throughout the 1970s and 1980s.[4] Bishop Richard Malone responded by releasing a Buffalo diocese priest abuse list of 42 accused clergy in March of 2018.
Bishop Malone’s executive assistant, Siobhan O’Connor, knew the real number was far higher. While cleaning, she found a binder of more than 300 pages documenting abuse claims against priests, many of whom remained in active ministry. She said, “To my mind, the overarching attitude seemed to be to protect the church’s reputation and her assets.” She leaked these documents in August 2018 to Charlie Specht at WKBW-TV, which stated that at least 106 clergy had faced credible accusations of sexual abuse — more than twice the number publicly disclosed.[4]
Bishop Malone resigned in December 2019 following a Vatican review. Bishop Grosz, who served as auxiliary bishop and was accused of mishandling reports of sexual abuse, resigned in March 2020.
Malone and Grosz’s departures did not end the problems for the Buffalo Diocese. New York’s Child Victims Act (CVA) opened a legal window for survivors to file long-barred claims, which led to nearly 900 Buffalo Diocese lawsuits and the landmark bankruptcy proceeding that followed.[5]
The Buffalo Diocese Priest Abuse List
In March 2018, Bishop Richard Malone publicly released a list of 42 priests accused of abuse after news reports put pressure on the Buffalo Diocese to share information. The number of priests on the abuse list was only a fraction of the accusations. Internal documents leaked by Bishop Malone’s former executive assistant revealed that more than 100 clergy had faced accusations, which church leadership didn’t initially disclose.
The Buffalo Diocese priest abuse list has since grown to include nearly 100 clergy who served in the diocese.[4]
The Buffalo Diocese keeps a publicly available page listing clergy with substantiated abuse claims. It shows each person’s ordination year, current ministry status (removed, deceased, or subject to canonical proceedings), and the number of allegations against them. For survivors, this list helps validate their experience while ensuring that full transparency is being honored to help prevent future abuse.[6]
Advocates for victims and survivors, and the New York Attorney General’s investigation, have long cautioned that the official list is incomplete. The list reflects only claims the diocese deemed “substantiated” and does not include all clergy who have been accused of abuse.
The Diocese of Buffalo Lawsuit Update: Bankruptcy and the Path to Settlement
In February 2020, the Diocese of Buffalo filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court. This came on the heels of hundreds of lawsuits filed under New York’s Child Victims Act (CVA). The bankruptcy filing paused individual lawsuits while the diocese worked toward a global resolution with nearly 900 claimants. The Buffalo Diocese had one of the highest case totals of any U.S. diocese, representing hundreds of survivors who finally had an opportunity to be heard and acknowledged.[5], [7]
There has been substantial progress toward resolution in the Buffalo Diocese lawsuits:
- In April 2025, the Buffalo Diocese reached a “settlement in principle” of $150 million with its creditors’ committee.[8]
- By October 2025, the total settlement plan reached approximately $274 million. As additional insurance carriers continue negotiations, the total is projected to exceed $300 million.[2], [9]
- The Buffalo Diocese submitted its final bankruptcy plan on October 1, 2025. As of early 2026, the plan is still awaiting court confirmation.[10]
The road to settlement has been challenging. Several parishes sued the Buffalo Diocese to block requirements to contribute toward the settlement. A judge ruled against those parishes in September 2025.[11]
The diocese later revised its parish contribution structure, eliminating the prior 80% contribution cap and increasing the diocese’s own contribution.[12] In a further development, a Vatican ruling in early 2026 freed eight Western New York parishes from having to contribute to the settlement altogether.[13]
The legal process remains ongoing. Survivors must vote to accept the final plan before it receives court approval. This is important as it gives survivors a voice in how justice is served.
Who Can File a Lawsuit Against the Buffalo Diocese?
The legal landscape for survivors of Buffalo Diocese abuse has been greatly impacted by New York’s Child Victims Act (CVA), which created a one-year look-back window from 2019 to 2021. During that time, survivors of any age could come forward and file civil claims regardless of when the abuse occurred, removing the statute of limitations. Nearly 900 claims were filed under the CVA.[5]
The look-back window laid out in the CVA has since closed, but survivors may still have options to take legal action while bankruptcy proceedings continue. If you or a loved one were a victim of Buffalo Diocese abuse, you may want to seek legal counsel with a qualified attorney who can advise you about whether you have a case.
If you did file a CVA claim, you are considered a creditor in the Diocese’s bankruptcy proceeding. This gives you the right to vote on the final settlement plan before the court can approve it. Compensation will not be the same for each case. A claims administrator will evaluate each survivor’s specific circumstances and the harm they suffered to determine compensation.[14]
How Filing a Lawsuit Against the Buffalo Catholic Diocese Could Help You
Coming forward is never easy, but for many survivors, pursuing legal action can be an important step toward healing and accountability.
While receiving financial compensation can’t take back the harm done, participating in the Buffalo Diocese lawsuit can provide resources to help you recover the harm you suffered, including emotional, physical, and psychological pain and suffering.
Taking part in the lawsuit against the Buffalo Diocese can be an important step toward healing and recovery. Every survivor deserves to be heard and supported, and taking legal action is one way to ensure your story is told.
Pre-Settlement Funding Provides Financial Relief During Your Lawsuit
After the Diocese of Buffalo’s bankruptcy plan is approved, it will still take considerable time for claims administrators to determine individual payouts. For survivors seeking compensation, the waiting can cause financial strain.
Pre-settlement funding for sexual abuse lawsuits offers relief through a nonrecourse cash advance you can use to cover bills and other expenses while your case is processed. Nonrecourse means that repayment is only required if you get a settlement.
With pre-settlement funding, you can continue the important fight for justice without worrying about how you’ll pay for the essentials you and your family need.
How USClaims Supports Buffalo Diocese Abuse Survivors
USClaims is experienced at providing pre-settlement funding in church and clergy abuse cases. We understand the unique challenges survivors face, especially the financial ones. The legal process can be lengthy, and survivors need support while they await compensation.
We know you’re dealing with a lot, which is why we make applying for pre-settlement funding as simple as possible, with:
- Application by phone or online
- No upfront fees or credit checks
- Funds provided in as little as 24 business-day hours* upon approval.
All we require is that you’re actively pursuing a case and are working with an attorney on a contingency basis. We will work directly with your lawyer during the application and repayment process.
If you or a loved one is a survivor of abuse, you’ve already experienced immense challenges. Coming forward and seeking compensation shouldn’t be another burden. USClaims is here to help ease that financial burden while you wait for a fair outcome.
Apply now or call us today at 1-877-USCLAIMS to learn more.
