Lawsuit brought by man who said he was sexually abused by Roman Catholic bishop settled

By MARK PRATT
Associated Press

A lawsuit brought by a former altar boy who said he was raped as a child in the 1960s by a now-deceased Roman Catholic bishop has been settled. The sides announced the settlement Friday. Terms were not disclosed. The plaintiff identified in court papers as John Doe alleged in the suit filed in February 2021 that not only was he abused by the former Diocese of Springfield Bishop Christopher Weldon as well as two other clergy, but also that the church engaged in a yearslong coverup to protect the bishop’s reputation and legacy. The diocese’s current bishop in a statement announcing the settlement apologized.