Nicastro said the two former bishops knew now defrocked priest Alfred Graves had molested two boys in 1976 but allowed him to keep serving as a priest.
SPRINGFIELD – Andrew Nicastro announced today that a $500,000 settlement has been reached in his civil lawsuit against two former bishops of the Springfield Catholic Diocese.
John Stobierski, Nicastro’s lawyer said discussions of a settlement began two weeks ago and accelerated last night after “emotional testimony” from Nicastro, his wife, and his father over the last few days in Hampden Superior Court.
Lawyers for the two bishops, the Most Rev. Bishop Joseph M. Maguire and the Most Rev. Thomas L. Dupre, had unsuccessfuly tried to have the case dismissed previously on the grounds the statute of limitations had expired by the time the suit was filed.
Nicastro said the two former bishops knew now defrocked priest Alfred Graves had molested two boys in 1976 but allowed him to keep serving as a priest. Nicastro was molested from about 1981 or 1982 to 1985.
Stobierski said Nicastro feels the settlement shows that those who permitted the abuse have come forward and accepted enough responsibilty to satisfy him. Nicastro urged other victims of sexual abuse who “suffered in silence, and suffered in shame” to come forward. He said they could find him and he will come forward with them to add strength.
Stobierski said the settlement was reached with both former bishops. He does not know how the money will be paid.
Asked if the money will come from insurance, he said he doesn’t know how it will be paid.