BOSTON (AP) - Settlement talks between the Boston Archdiocese and attorneys representing about 250 alleged sexual abuse victims are moving forward, the lawyer for the alleged victims said Friday.
Archdiocese spokeswoman Donna M. Morrissey called the discussions "positive, candid and comprehensive."
Roderick MacLeish, who represents alleged victims of retired priest Paul Shanley and others, said he has been encouraged by gestures from the archdiocese. For example, when one alleged victim needed residential treatment in a hospital-like environment, the archdiocese paid for it, MacLeish said.
Neither side commented directly on the settlement.
Also Friday, a group of lay Catholics met with archdiocese officials to discuss creating a fund that would bypass the church hierarchy and give directly to church charities.
The group, Voice of the Faithful, met Friday for the second time with Bishop Walter Edyvean, Cardinal Bernard Law's top administrator.
Group spokesman Mike Emerton refused to comment on specifics. An archdiocese spokesman also would not comment Friday.
The meeting came a day after the archdiocese announced it was slashing its budget for the coming fiscal year by $8 million, or one third. The archdiocese cited a weak economy for the cuts, which will affect aid to parishes, schools and hospitals.