Clergy Sex Abuse Case Settlement

By Nicole Nalepa
WWLP
July 30, 2012

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/clergy-sex-abuse-case-settlement


[with video]

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - On Thursday night, lawyers representing the Springfield Diocese and Andrew Nicastro came to a six figure settlement in a clergy sex abuse lawsuit.

41 year-old Nicastro said he was sexually abused as a child by Father Alfred Graves, a former priest in the Diocese. He claims there were others within the church's system that did nothing to protect him.

But on Friday morning, the jury in his case was dismissed, and with his family beside him, Nicastro and his attorney announced that the case--which they had been fighting for for 3 years--was finally closed.

"I think it's the first case in the last 8 years of clergy sex abuse cases that have been tried in Massachusetts....Based upon my personal knowledge it is among the highest settlement of these cases for an individual in Massachusetts," said John Stobierski, Nicastro's attorney.

For Nicastro, he says the case was never about money, but rather about holding accountable those who he believes failed to protect him against sexual abuse.

Nicastro claims that at the time of the abuse, Bishops Joseph Maguire and Thomas Dupre knew Father Graves had a history of indecent conduct with a minor. Lawyers representing both Bishops denied their client's had any responsibility in the case.

However, Bishop Maguire released this statement to 22News on Friday: "The settlement, I hope will bring some measure of healing to Andrew Nicastro and his family. Sadly they have suffered greatly by this terrible abuse."

Nicastro says now that the case is closed, he can move forward with his life...

"There is still a lot of healing to go, but there is now hope....You have to come forward, you have to find the strength; and what many victims don't realize is that they're a lot stronger than they think," said Nicastro.

He told 22News that he wants to work with victims of abuse and help them overcome the struggles he too has faced.