SPRINGFIELD (MA)
WWLP [Springfield, MA]
July 6, 2026
By Claire Overton
A $10 million civil lawsuit was filed in Hampden Superior Court against two former Roman Catholic bishops for alleged sexual abuse.
Shawn Senuta alleges he was sexually abused by Bishops Christopher Weldon and Joseph Maguire more than 50 years ago when he was 4 or 5 years old while residing at Brightside, a residential institute for children owned and operated by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield.New $600M justice center to replace Springfield courthouse
The suit claims the abuse began around 1973 or 1974. It alleges Bishop Weldon fondled Senuta and made him perform sexual acts, and that Bishop Maguire also victimized Senuta on more than one occasion at Brightside.
The bishops allegedly told Senuta that no one would believe him or that God would not forgive him. Senuta said he struggled for years with the alleged abuse until he disclosed it to his wife in 2022.
Senuta’s attorneys at Sweeney and Merrigan Law told 22News that their client “has shown extraordinary courage in coming forward and this case is a powerful reminder of why accountability matters.”
This is not the first time a lawsuit with similar allegations has been brought against the Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield, particularly against Weldon.
A previous lawsuit against Weldon was settled in 2023. The lawsuit involved a victim, referred to as “John Doe,” who was allegedly sexually abused by Weldon in the 1960s while serving as an altar boy. The Diocese initially sought to have that suit dismissed until the claims were found to be credible.
22News has reached out to the Diocese of Springfield for comment on the newest lawsuit but has not received a response at this time.