SPRINGFIELD (MA)
Telegram & Gazette
The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.— The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield has hired a Springfield-based mental health service agency to serve as an independent advocate and provide counseling and other assistance to clergy-abuse victims.
The one-year $50,000 contract with Behavorial Health Network was part of a $7.7 million settlement the diocese reached earlier this year with 46 people who claimed they had been abused by priests.
Marti Bono, one of those who settled his claims against the diocese, came up with the idea.
"In Boston and other places we've seen too many of our brothers and sisters get the money and fall by the wayside, even commit suicide," Bono said, pointing out that many abuse victims end up addicted to drugs or alcohol and have lingering mental problems.
Still, many victims of clergy sexual abuse are reluctant to seek help directly from the church for their problems, said Bono, who says he was molested by his childhood priest.