Massachusetts Diocese Pays $4.5M for Abuse Claims

A Catholic diocese in Massachusetts has paid $4.5 million to nearly 60 people who say they were sexually abused by priests as far back as 1948.

The agreements announced Tuesday were part of a voluntary arbitration process set up over the summer. That is when the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield reached a settlement with its insurance carriers.

Bishop Timothy McDonnell says the diocese has a moral responsibility to reach out to those abused by clergy when they were children.