Pope Francis has appointed a new Bishop for the Diocese of Norwich on Wednesday.
The Vatican made the official announcement and Bishop-elect Richard F. Reidy was named as the sixth Bishop of Norwich.
He comes to Norwich from the Diocese of Worcester, Mass., where he most recently served as Vicar General.
"I am very grateful to the Holy Father for this appointment and look forward to assisting the Bishop-elect as he becomes acclimated to Eastern Connecticut," said Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Norwich.
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"I am confident that he will be an excellent shepherd for the people of the Diocese," Archbishop Coyne continued.
The announcement came on the same day an attorney for dozens of victims of sex abuse by clergy in the Norwich diocese confirmed there is a proposed $31 million settlement.
"They're very optimistic about there being an end in sight," attorney Kelly Reardon said.
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The lawsuit was filed by roughly 150 victims who alleged abuse over the years by clergy and other staff members at the Mount Saint John School in Deep River.
If approved by a judge, the settlement would provide anywhere between $20,000 and $310,000 to the claimants.
"I think that a lot of them are pleased to know that they will finally, you know, receive recognition in the form of compensation for what they experienced," Reardon said. "It's never going to change what happened, but at least, you know they will be able to move forward.”
