Boston, USA - A Catholic diocese in Massachusetts has paid $4.5 million to nearly 60 people who say they were sexually abused by priests as far back as 1948.
The agreements announced Tuesday were part of a voluntary arbitration process set up over the summer. That's when the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield reached a settlement with its insurance carriers.
Bishop Timothy McDonnell says the diocese has a moral responsibility to reach out to those abused by clergy when they were children.