May 17—A tentative deal totaling $121.5 million has been reached in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe's bankruptcy case involving 400 claimants accusing the church of clergy sexual abuse.

Although details need to be tied up, attorneys said in a conference with U.S. Bankruptcy Judge David Thuma Tuesday afternoon they were confident they had arrived at a settlement.

"It's been a long haul, as everyone can attest," said Tom Walker, an attorney representing the archdiocese. "I feel like we got there and we got to a good result."

Attorneys said they hoped money could be distributed to accusers about October.

James Stang, an attorney representing a key committee of accusers, praised the accusers. He said the nine-member committee of survivors hung tough through three-and-a-half years.

"And talk about patience," Stang said. "And they remained committed throughout the process. None of them dropped out."

In a statement, Archbishop John Wester said the church "takes very seriously its responsibility to see the survivors of sexual abuse are justly compensated for the suffering they have endured. It is our hope that this settlement is the next step in the healing process of those who have been harmed."

This is a developing story and will be updated.