SPRINGFIELD (MA)
Republican
Friday, June 17, 2005
By BILL ZAJAC
wzajac@repub.com
SPRINGFIELD - The 30 or so alleged clergy abuse victims who have outstanding claims with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield may have to wait as long as two years before settling their claims.
At an informal court hearing yesterday to determine the status of unresolved civil suits against the diocese, Hampden Superior Judge John A. Agostini issued a stay on continuing litigation on the suits while the diocese pursues legal action to determine the obligation of insurance carriers in settling claims.
"Its not going to be a few weeks or a few months, it may take a long time," said Agostini, who previously stated it could be a year or two to settle the insurance issues.
Paul M. Herrick of Springfield, Vt., who has one of the outstanding suits against the diocese, said he is discouraged, but not surprised.
"People don't understand that the diocese has given us promises and they have broken them all. None of their deadlines have been met," said Herrick.
Herrick first told the diocese that he was abused as a minor almost three years ago. He later filed suit under John Doe, a pseudonym.