Diocese Reaches Agreement On Clergy Abuse Reports

A new agreement spells out how the Catholic diocese of Springfield must respond to allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct, while clarifying that its investigations not conflict with work by prosecutors.

The pact details steps to guarantee that abuse reports received by the church are immediately shared with civil legal authorities. All three district attorneys in Western Massachusetts signed on to the pact, which is now in effect and runs until June 30, 2024. The Springfield Diocese oversees Catholic parishes in Berkshire County.

The agreement was reached a year after it came to light that reports of assaults supposedly provided by the diocese to law enforcement could not be located in the district attorneys' files.

Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington said the pact ensures that allegations of clergy abuse reach prosecutors. She called the commitment from the church "overdue."

Read all the details on The Berkshire Eagle.com.