James D. Fish v. Norwich Roman Catholic Diocese et al.: In a letter from Bishop Michael Cote read to parishioners at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Pawcatuck on Oct. 28, the diocese announced the latest in what now totals $4.6 million in settlements from priest abuse cases.
Pawcatuck resident James D. Fish settled his case against the Rev. Paul Hebert for $170,000, after alleging in 2005 that he was abused as a sixth-grader in 1973 and 1974. As recently as Sept. 7, in Fish’s first amended complaint, Fish asserted that even before Hebert came to the diocese, and during his tenure, the diocese was warned “of the danger that Father Hebert posed to children,” but did nothing about it. Hebert has consistently denied culpability.
