Survivors in Western New York have carried the weight of their abuse for decades. Then they were asked to carry years of legal delays on top of that. Last week’s decision by the New York Supreme Court to toss a lawsuit aimed at blocking parish payments in the Buffalo Diocese bankruptcy is a long-overdue step. This decision finally gets compensation moving.

Let’s talk about why this matters, what comes next, and how civil action keeps institutions honest. This occurs even when there’s infighting inside the Church.

What just happened

A group of parishioners sued to stop the diocese from requiring parishes to contribute at the highest assessment level toward the survivor settlement trust. A judge briefly paused those payments in July. However, the state Supreme Court just dismissed the case, clearing the path for funds to flow. That means one less stall tactic stands between survivors and the relief they were promised.

This isn’t happening in a vacuum. The Buffalo Diocese has been in Chapter 11 since February 2020. Survivors have been tied up in bankruptcy court ever since.

Survivors have already waited too long

The settlement trust for Buffalo has been estimated around $272–$272.5 million, with insurers recently agreeing to significant contributions. Survivors don’t need more procedural sidetracks they need the diocese to finish the plan and fund the trust.

In fact, local reporting made clear the court was pressing the diocese for a new plan timeline this fall. Every calendar milestone matters because each one affects how fast checks can be cut and support services can be funded.

The tactics: delay, deflect, and even fight each other

When institutions face accountability, they try everything to delay. They use bankruptcy filings, insurer skirmishes, parish-level resistance, and appeals to church authorities to slow the process. The Buffalo case has seen all of it, including disputes about parish payments and Vatican decisions. Those are distractions from the core truth: survivors deserve timely, fair compensation and real reform.

New York isn’t new to this playbook. Other downstate dioceses have cycled through similar maneuvers before ultimately advancing sizable settlements, underscoring that delay doesn’t erase responsibility.

Why these payouts matter (and it’s not “just money”)

For many survivors, compensation helps cover therapy, medical care, lost income, and long-term support. It’s also a tangible acknowledgment of harm. The check can’t restore childhoods but it can fund healing and send a message that institutional misconduct has a cost.

And when payouts are paired with court-ordered reforms and monitoring, safer personnel practices follow. Transparent complaint handling starts changing the culture that enabled abuse. New York’s Attorney General has pushed those kinds of structural fixes, and they matter.

Civil suits move the ball when systems stall

Criminal cases are crucial, but civil litigation often pries open the books. It compels insurers to pay and forces dioceses to implement safeguards. In Buffalo, insurer contributions and a growing trust are the direct result of relentless civil pressure. Survivors, advocates, and attorneys ensuring the process continues made it happen.

What survivors should know right now

• The court just cleared a major hurdle. With the parish-payment challenge dismissed, funding mechanics for the settlement trust can proceed.
• Timelines still matter. Watch for updated plan milestones and notice periods; they affect when distributions start.
• Documentation is power. Keep your claim records, communications from the claims administrator, and any notices you receive.
• Ask questions.  Our team can explain where your claim stands and what this ruling changes for you.

Our commitment to Buffalo Diocese Survivors

At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent many of these survivors who’ve been forced to wait while institutions litigate against themselves and accountability. The latest ruling is a win for forward motion. Now, the diocese and its partners must finish the job. They must fully fund the trust and deliver on promises made.

If you’re a survivor with questions about your claim or how this decision affects you, we’re here to help you understand the next steps. We will keep your case moving. 1-866-753-5458