Archdiocese of New York reaches $800M settlement with 1,300 survivors
www.usatoday.com

... About 1,300 survivors of clergy sexual abuse have unanimously agreed to an $800 million settlement with the Archdiocese of New York, marking one of the largest payouts by a Catholic diocese in the United States.

The agreement follows more than seven years of litigation stemming from claims filed under New York's Child Victims Act, or CVA, which changed the state's strict statute of limitations on sexual crimes against children and opened up a one-year window to revive past claims of any age. Jeff Anderson & Associates, which represents 300 abuse survivors, announced on Oct. 24 that all claimants had agreed to the settlement plan. ...

For years, Catholic dioceses across the country have paid hundreds of millions of dollars to resolve clergy sexual abuse lawsuits. To manage and settle these lawsuits, some have declared bankruptcy.

New York and other states have enacted laws that temporarily enabled victims of child sexual abuse to file lawsuits over decades-old crimes. These laws have pushed over two dozen Catholic dioceses to seek bankruptcy protection in recent years, according to Reuters.

The $800 million agreement with the Archdiocese of New York ranks among the largest clergy sex abuse settlements in U.S. history. It is second only to the $880 million settlement reached by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2024.

In June, the Archdiocese of San Francisco announced a $395 million settlement with about 530 people who said they were abused as children by priests. In December 2025, a federal judge approved a $230 million settlement between hundreds of victims of clergy sexual abuse and the Archdiocese of New Orleans, NOLA.com reported. ...

Child Abuse in Islam
islamqa.org

... Where does the issue of sexual child abuse fit into Islam? What is Islam's stance on this? Is it mentioned in any hadith or verses from the Quran? What are the punishments for the abusers? I myself was a victim for 15 yrs by various people. I am finally at a point in my life where I've stopped "questioning" Allah, and am able to say "Alhumdolillah" and accept my fate as the will of Allah. Still however, I am sometimes overwhelmed ... what can I do (zikr) to help myself through psychologically and emotionally draining moments? I am also frequently plagued by nightmares, what should I do for those? Finally, is it considered better to not share your dreams (good or bad) with anyone? JazakAllah khair..

Answer:
Abuse of anything, (inanimate or animate, human being or animal) at any level is haraam (strictly prohibited). If a person is convicted for such a crime, he/she will be charged and dealt with appropriately. It is unfortunate that you have become a victim of abuse for which we deeply regret and sincerely sympathise with you.

Your questioning of Allah was probably due to thinking that was the decree of Allah and that being your fate. That is not so. Allah never decrees abuse.

Allah's knowledge is perfect and absolute. He knows ahead of time what is to happen, not that He made it happen.

The abuser will be punished by Allah, your approach and change of attitude is therefore appropriate. Looking back may not assist you in any way especially when it is not of your own doing. It will only bring grief and agony.

You should be optimistic and look for bright prospects in life within the framework of Shariah. Rasulullah (SAW) said, Lighten your heart often (Abu-Dawood). That may be achieved by engaging in something that is permissible but interesting to you, especially heart and mind consuming. Train yhourself never to turn back.

Look forward and advance.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.
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