The Kansas City-St. Joseph Catholic diocese has created a new position to deal with sex-abuse allegations against priests. In the process, the diocese is replacing the priest who has been in charge of that issue.

The new position of vicar for clergy will be filled by The Reverend Joseph Powers.  He replaces Monsignor Robert Murphy, who had been the vicar general but who has been criticized for his handling of the case of a priest charged with having child pornography.

Murphy remains a pastor of a church in Pleasant Hill and will retain other administrative duties with the diocese.

In a separate issue, some people who reached a $10 million settlement with the Kansas City-St. Joseph Catholic diocese say the diocese has not been fulfilling some of the settlement’s terms. 

The settlement had been reached in 2008 in a priest-sexual abuse lawsuit. The plaintiffs want an arbitrator to become involved. The diocese says it is complying with the requirements.