Opening Statements in Clergy Abuse Lawsuit against Springfield Bishops

By Laura Hutchinson
WWLP
July 24, 2012

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/opening-statements-in-clergy-abuse-lawsuit-against-springfield-bishops

Opening arguments have begun in a clergy sex abuse lawsuit against two former Springfield bishops.

Greenfield Attorney John Stobierski claims his client, Andrew Nicastro, who is 41 now, was sexually abused by Father Alfred Graves, a former priest in Springfield, when he was between the ages of 11 and 14 years old.

In his opening arguments Tuesday, Stobierski provided pictures of Nicastro as a child to the jury.

Nicastro is suing Catholic Church leaders, former Bishops Thomas Dupre and Joseph Maguire, claiming they knew Graves had a history of indecent conduct with a minor.

“It’s angering. It could have all been avoided had someone simply did anything, anything at all,” Nicastro told 22News back in 2009 when he announced he was filing a lawsuit.

At that time, Andrew’s mother, Augusta Nicastro, also told 22News she felt betrayed by her faith.

“I can never believe we had so much trust in the church and the priest. All my life I thought they were the closest thing to God,” she said.

Nicastro has said the Catholic Church has offered him many apologies however he hopes a public lawsuit will help prevent this from happening to other children.

According to Springfield Diocese Spokesman Mark Dupont, Alfred Graves was removed from the clerical state, Nov. 4, 2006 and he had been removed from active priestly ministry in 1992.

Maguire is being represented by Attorney Jack Egan, while Dupre is represented in the suit by Attorney Charles Bergin.

Both defense attorneys agree the abuse should've never happened, what they can't agree with is that their clients are responsible.

"There's no basis to find Thomas Dupre even knew about this and not knowing about it, there's nothing he can do," Bergin said.

Nicastro took the stand on Tuesday.

Members of the church are expected to testify.

Other alleged victims of Alfred Graves are also expected to take the stand.