Cost of abuse scandal in US soars 82% in single year to $483.5M
June 09, 2026
The costs of the clerical abuse scandal in the United States soared 82% in the July 2024—June 2025 reporting year, to $483,534,316, according to the U.S. bishops’ Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recently released the annual report mandated by the bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, adopted in 2002. The report found that the total cost of the scandal to American dioceses—including settlements, other payments to victims, support for offenders, attorneys’ fees, and other costs—increased 61% between 2023-24 and 2024-25, from $242,799,401 to $389,961,007 (p. 31). The costs to religious communities soared 297% between 2023-24 and 2024-25, from $23,565,150 to $93,573,309 (p. 42).
The total costs rose 82% between 2023-24 and 2024-25, from $266,364,551 to $483,534,316 (p. 48). The true costs, however, are likely much higher: only 97% of U.S. dioceses (and eparchies) and 61% of men’s religious institutes responded to requests for data (p. xii).
During 2024-25, 1,070 allegations were lodged by 973 persons. By year’s end, 97 allegations were substantiated, and 49 were unsubstantiated (p. 15). 117 of the allegations were deemed credible (p. 24). Over half of the accused clerics were deceased (p. 17), and 74% of the accused had prior allegations (p. 29).
87% of the alleged victims of diocesan clergy were male, with abuse most likely to take place between the ages of 10 and 14 (p. 27). Most of the alleged abuse took place between 1965 and 1984 (p. 28).
83% of the alleged victims of religious-order clergy were male, with abuse most likely to take place between the ages of 15 and 17 (p. 38). Most of the alleged abuse took place between 1970 and 1989 (p. 39).
Of the 1,070 allegations, 24 involved current minors. Four allegations were substantiated, and seven were unsubstantiated. Seventeen of the 24 allegations involved girls (p. 16).
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Further information:
- U.S. Bishops’ Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection Releases Annual Report (USCCB, 5/27/26)
- 2025 Annual Report: Findings and Recommendations (USCCB, May 2026)
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Posted by: grateful1 -
Jun. 09, 2026 7:30 PM ET USA
If "only 97% of U.S. dioceses (and eparchies) and 61% of men’s religious institutes responded to requests for data," why isn't disclosure mandated? If the USCCB doesn't have that authority, who does -- a dicastery? The Pope himself? At the very least, the names of the non-disclosing entities should be broadly publicized, so that the laity can exercise its stewardship duties wisely.
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Posted by: nix898049 -
Jun. 09, 2026 6:37 PM ET USA
I for one have had it to here on this subject. There needs to be a statute of limitations on how long the living members of a diocese can be on the hook for the 'alleged' actions of some dead cleric. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!
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Posted by: frjimt.stjudes7938 -
Jun. 09, 2026 8:25 AM ET USA
Not to mention the deep pockets of the Church that hungry lawyers line their pockets with..... They don't go after many Protestant churches because they are too small and independent.... And the schools are protected by the corrupt govt officials who want the church to pay, but not their own... Whose abuse is much deeper & longer
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Posted by: feedback -
Jun. 09, 2026 8:14 AM ET USA
Nationwide statistics on sexual abuse of minors reveal in different types of research that 78% to 89% of the victims are female. But in the clerical sexual abuse of minors victims are predominantly male: 87% (by diocesan clergy) and 83% (by religious). Conclusion: the vetting process of candidates for priesthood is corrupt, and the Bishops and superiors do nothing about it. https://www.unh.edu/ccrc/sites/default/files/media/2022-03/childhood-sexual-abuse-fact-sheet_0.pdf
