The Archdiocese of New Orleans has agreed to pay nearly $180m to survivors of clergy sexual abuse as part of a proposed settlement.

The payout, totalling $179.2m, would be distributed through a trust once the archdiocese exits bankruptcy, as reported by The Mail Online.

The agreement, which covers more than 500 claimants, also includes provisions aimed at preventing future abuse, such as a survivors’ bill of rights and revised handling procedures for allegations.

Archbishop Gregory Aymond said: “I am grateful to God for all who have worked to reach this agreement... that we may look to the future towards a path to healing.”

However, survivor advocates and lawyers have sharply criticised the deal, calling it a “secret backroom” agreement.

Attorney Soren Gisleson claimed the terms were “a continuation of the lifetime of abuse the Archdiocese has inflicted".

Survivor Aaron Hebert described the offer as “an insult and a slap to the face.”

The lawsuit, first filed in 2020, revealed internal records suggesting a long-standing pattern of church leaders shielding accused clergy from accountability.

In 2018, the archdiocese publicly identified more than 50 clergy members who were removed due to credible allegations.

The settlement still requires approval from the bankruptcy court, creditors and a vote by survivors, many of whom may reject the proposal.