CAMDEN, NJ, February 18, 2026 – After years of legal battles and initial resistance from the Diocese of Camden, a $180 million settlement has been agreed to covering the cases of 330 survivors. 

The agreement was announced today in a letter to parishioners by Bishop Joseph Williams. The settlement is pending approval by a US Bankruptcy Court judge. The diocese filed for bankruptcy in 2020 after the state expanded its statute of limitations on clergy abuse claims resulting in lawsuits spanning decades of abuse. 

“SNAP applauds the determination and strength of the many survivors who saw this through, demanding accountability, justice and the truth about those that have abused our trust,” said Mark Crawford, who leads SNAP’s work in New Jersey and is himself a survivor of clerical abuse. 

The resolution announced by the diocese and its insurers marks an important step toward long-overdue accountability and healing. For 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.

Crawford recognized the leadership of Bishop Williams, whose commitment to resolving this matter helped bring these protracted negotiations to a conclusion. While 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.

Equally 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.