Advocates of clergy sexual abuse victims are slamming a new report by the Catholic Diocese of Worcester on the abuse of minors, arguing the report is a “deceptive cover-up.”

According to the report, the diocese has received 209 allegations of clerical sexual abuse since its founding in 1950, 173 of which diocesan officials have deemed credible. Since only one allegation involves abuse that occurred since 1998, the report argues the diocese has effectively prevented sexual abuse of minors in recent years.

But attorneys who specialize in clerical pedophilia are forcefully rejecting that conclusion, arguing the Worcester Diocese has a history of discouraging victims from reporting their experiences. Lawyers and advocates add that people usually wait to come forward about their experiences with sexual abuse until they’re at least about 50 years old. Therefore, they say the report does not accurately reflect more recent cases of abuse during…