Mich. Man Files Lawsuit Against 2 Mass. Ex-Bishops

A 47-year-old Michigan man has sued two retired Springfield bishops, alleging their lack of supervision allowed a now-defrocked Roman Catholic priest to sexually abuse him.

Peter J. Caffrey spoke Wednesday with his attorney at a news conference in Greenfield, where the lawsuit was filed. Caffrey alleges he was abused by Richard R. Lavigne for more than two years beginning when he was 13 and living in North Adams.

The Republican newspaper reports Caffrey says he notified the diocese in 2009 and church officials found his claim credible, but he became frustrated with the pace of the process.

Spokesman Mark Dupont said the Diocese of Springfield has not yet been provided a copy of Caffreys lawsuit. He said these allegations of inadequate supervision will be defended vigorously, adding that "this terrible misconduct was clandestine."

No telephone listing was found for Lavigne.