Williamstown Man Claims Clergy Sex Abuse

By Ray Hershel
WGGB
July 25, 2012

www.wggb.com/2012/07/25/williamstown-man-claims-clergy-sex-abuse/


[with video]

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) — Testimony continued Wednesday in the case of a Williamstown man who says he was abused by a Catholic priest some 30 years ago.

Andrew Nicastro has filed a civil suit against Bishops Thomas Dupre and Joseph Maguire saying they should be held accountable because they were in supervisory positions in the diocese.

At times Nicastro wiped away the tears as he answered questions about how alleged sex abuse by former priest Alfred Graves has impacted his life.

Nicastro says the now defrocked priest sexually abused him for three years when he was between 11 and 14 years old.

A picture of Nicastro as a child was admitted as evidence in the case.

The first witness of the day was Jesuit priest Mark Burke who now lives in Brooklyn.

Father Burke who formerly lived in Williamstown described his friendship with Nicastro and the first time he heard Nicastro talk about being abused. "He said oh and I was abused by Father Graves. I was surprised at it because he touched upon it and boom he changed the topic," says Father Burke.

In answering questions from his attorney John Stobierski, Nicastro talked about the toll the alleged abuse took on his life. "I would find myself all of a sudden depressed why, I don't know. Most people would chalk it up to saying I felt down. When I felt down, it would go on for weeks," says Nicastro.

And in the most emotional moment of the day, Nicastro talked about his children and how he wished he had more compassion towards them, the compassion he says that he sees in his daughter. "I wish I could see the world through her eyes and I can't give her what she deserves. That hurts," said Nicastro.

Testimony resumes Thursday morning in Hampden County Superior Court.