Western Mass. Diocese, Abuse Victims Near Settlement

Lawyers for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Mass., clergy abuse victims and the insurance carriers confirm that the sides have agreed to enter nonbinding settlement talks in a two-year old lawsuit.

More than three dozen people have sued the diocese for sexual abuse they say they suffered at the hands of Catholic priests once affiliated with the diocese.

The diocese settled a previous round of claims for $7.7 million in 2004.

The question with this new round is who will pay them.

The insurance carriers refused to cover claims of negligent supervision, leaving the diocese to pay the 2004 settlement with its own funds.

The insurers claim the diocese covered up abuse.

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Information from: The Springfield Republican,
http://www.masslive.com/republican/index.ssf