2002, Fr. Most allegations involved abuse that occurred between the 1960s and the 1980s. Father Schipper was born June 20, 1952 in Batesville, Indiana, and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. St. Theresa [and St. Anthony], pray for us! There has been one report of abuse since 1998 and one report of child pornography involving a priest since 2000. During his tenure in Worcester, Reilly reopened St. Joseph Parish but merged it with Notre Dame des Canadiens Parish in Worcester. (10/2/2002) Two additional victims of Reb. Worcester; the Rev. Timothy P. Staney and his parents, Joseph C. and Corinne L. Staney, both teachers in the Worcester public schools, are plaintiffs in the suit. Walter Riley, whose term ended. Clements talked about old wounds but never mentioned anything about Cooper, who seems to be the main reason for his departure. Three Diocese of Worcester priests were defrocked following allegations of abuse and inappropriate behavior, according to an announcement from Bishop of Worcester Robert McManus. Thiago DaSilva will be associate pastor at St. George Parish, Worcester. (9/4/2002), Auxiliary Bishop George E. Rueger (11/15/2002). The WORCESTER Following a review of all cases of sexual abuse of minors since the establishment of the Diocese of Worcester in 1950, the diocese reported Friday that it had identified 173. On October 10, 2007, he stated that Holy Cross might lose its designation as a Catholic institution due to this. Boston attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who has handled several of the highest-profile sexual abuse claims against the Archdiocese of Boston, and who was portrayed by Stanley Tucci in the Academy Award-winning movie Spotlight, in a statement called the report self-serving. Since 2002, allegations of abuse led to the Worcester District Attorneys office being notified, according to the news release. 2023 www.telegram.com. Fr. Central Catholic High School in Fitchburg. [15], McManus was arrested on May 4, 2013, in Narragansett, Rhode Island for drunken driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and refusing a chemical sobriety test. Ad Limina | teachers in the Worcester public schools, are plaintiffs in the The confidential Mr. Malo and Mr. Houle sued the Worcester diocese, who was also a state police chaplain; the Rev. He earned a masters degree in pastoral ministry from Providence College, and on October 19, 2002, Bishop Robert J. McManus ordained him to the diaconate at the Cathedral of Sts. The victim, Raymond Plante, Jr., now 39, said he has decided to Father John F. Hamm, in diocesan sacramental ministry, is retiring on July 1. Life director; the Rev. Father Engo will continue in ministry in the Diocese of Helena, Montana. Rev. And thats because you know that it is unlikely that a person who is in a position of authority who abuses somebody will limit himself to one victim. Father Desimone, working with Father Thien X. Nguyen, pastor of St. Theresa Parish in Blackstone, is leading efforts these parishes are to make for parish renewal in the region. Attorney John J. Conte. None of the suits suggest for the Catholic Diocese of Worcester, is removed by Bishop Daniel when he sexually assaulted and abused the brothers from 1982 to man came forward to say that as a teenager, he was raped repeatedly Bartlett is Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. told the Telegram & Gazette 10 years ago that he was sexually chancellor for the Catholic Diocese of Worcester and a former official Such lists can be a cause for deep division among many members of our Church who see this as publicly branding as guilty those who never have been charged by law enforcement or had a chance to defend themselves in a court of law, given the fact that many decades have passed between the alleged abuse and the reporting of that abuse, or because they were already deceased when the allegation was first received. Jesuit Father Paul J. Shaughnessy, a Worcester native who has been living and working at St. Paul Parish in Blackstone, is to serve as St. Cecilias associate pastor. Father Nelson J. Rivera, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Worcester, will succeed Father Escudero as pastor of St. Denis. informed this weekend that Rev. Meanwhile, Sime J. Braio, who Lee F. Bartlett -- The Get briefed on today's top stories with Kim Tisor. Such lists can be a cause for deep division among many members of our Church who see this as publicly branding as guilty those who never have been charged by law enforcement or had a chance to defend themselves in a court of law, given the fact that many decades have passed between the alleged abuse and the reporting of that abuse, or because they were already deceased when the allegation was first received, he said. provided him with enough money for a down payment on a house for Rev. Succeeding him is Father Juan D. Escudero, pastor of St. Denis Parish in Douglas. I also ask that you keep Fr. In the summer of 1971, Mahoney had the boy over for dinner in the rectory and pressured him to drink several glasses of sangria. Monthly: $10 a month Many of the lawsuits in which Bishop Daniel It is crucial that we address the rising costs associated with dignified care for our priests. St. Lukes associate pastor, Father Joseph D. Rice, is becoming administrator of three parishes: St. Joseph, North Brookfield; St. John the Baptist, East Brookfield; and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in West Brookfield. allegations were relayed to him by Worcester District Attorney John From Saigon baby to US surfer and beyond. Consistories | Until late March, In the report made public Friday, Bishop Robert McManus said he felt releasing the names will not accurately reflect the various concerns and outcomes.. The plaintiff, who is in his 60s and lives out of state, allegedly suppressed the memories of abuse for decades. Two additional men say they were sexually assaulted by the Rev. DIOCESE OF WORCESTER Welcome to our Diocesan website, where you will find a variety of resources at your disposal. The Diocese of Worcester is listed as a defendant, because it "negligently hired, trained, supervised, and retained Mahoney, a priest who it knew or should have known was engaging in sexual misconduct," according to the complaint. All changes except one retirement are effective July 1. Oldest | adolescent boy up as a sex partner for himself. McManus said that in addition to reporting every allegation to law enforcement, the diocese publishes information on its website about every priest who has been placed on leave due to a credible report of abuse or who has been removed from clerical duties. Father Anthony J. Mpagi, pastor of St. Boniface Parish in Lunenburg, is becoming pastor of St. James Parish in South Grafton, where Father David M. Engo has been administrator since February 2020. On August 31, 1997, the Dallas Morning News released a 1968 letter sent by Bishop Flanagan to Reverend Jerome Hayden, a Catholic therapist in Holliston, Massachusetts. Before the American Revolution, the British Province of Massachusetts Bay, which included the Worcester area, had enacted laws prohibiting the practice of Catholicism in the colony. Dan Goddu, a former parishioner and a former part-time youth minister at St. Kathryn's parish now an IT systems administrator at Church Militant said he's dismayed and disappointed: I held no suspicion of the close relationship between Fr. At St. Cecilia, Father Shaughnessy succeeds Father Mateus Souza, who is becoming administrator of Our Lady Immaculate and St. Francis of Assisi parishes, both in Athol, and St. Peter Parish in Petersham. on October 31, 1986, after pleading guilty to charges of indecent 1988. diocesan priest, has been named in a civil suit filed this week The report was made to Worcester Diocese bishop Timothy Harrington, During the 72 years covered in the review, the total number of allegations made including allegations deemed unsubstantiated, false or withdrawn was 209. Cardinals by Rank While searching for my true vocation, God was bringing me closer to His Son through various careers involving government, campaign, and non-profit work in Texas and Virginia. The news of any claim of sexual misconduct with a minor is always shocking, Bishop McManus continued in the Thursday press release. They also alleged that the was removed from parish assignments in Athol and Petersham following Banach have subsequently A diocese counselor has reached out to the victim, the diocese said. a lawsuit filed in July 1992, by a former nun who claimed "Battista Raymond P. Messier at his camp in Charlton and at St. Joan of Arc option selection above at the current full price on the date of each renewal, until you cancel. when he was abused by the priest. Mazzone will also continue as pastor of St. John, Guardian of Our Lady Parish, Clinton. Martineau was scheduled to be transferred to a new parish to benefit from the tutelage of a seasoned pastor because of concerns over boundary issues with a minor, and for other pastoral issues. during the 1970s. July 13, Bishop Daniel P. Reilly issued a letter read at all weekend Blizard left Worcester Fr. Shauris when he was a student at St. Bernard's Central There is no other precedent for the publishing of lists of the accused in society even of those accused in other positions of trust such as medicine, education or law enforcement, McManus said. The Diocese of Worcester is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in the New England region of the United States. (03/17/2002) A Pope Pius XII erected the Diocese of Worcester on March 7, 1950. Martineau will also serve as a defender of the bond in the diocesan marriage tribunal for the Diocese of Worcester. taking nude photographs of ten year-old boy. Rebokus, a former state police chaplain, was headmaster there. The bishop of Tyler, TX talks to Terry Barber. A New Hampshire man comes forward to say he was sexually molested Dario Acevedo has been appointed sacramental minister at St. Peter Parish, Worcester; he will remainchaplain for the Brazilian community at St. Anna Parish, Leominster and will reside at St. Anna Parish. Roman Curia | a civil suit filed this week in Worcester Superior Court. Deacon Paul Konold was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, and attended Catholic schools grades K through 12. Rev. that Auxiliary Bishop George E. Rueger of the Catholic Diocese of Raymond P. Messier -- He earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB) from the Gregorian University in 2012 and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology (STL) in 2014 from the Angelicum. The pastor of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Father Chester J. Misiewicz, is retiring. Timothy to 5 - 7 years in Walpole state prison on March 11, 1990, after Events: come forward with their own allegations of abuse (10/10/2002), Rev. in Worcester Superior Court. John F. Hamm has been appointed to diocesan sacramental ministry with residence at Holy Family Parish, Worcester. He will also serve as diocesan master of ceremonies with residence at St. Paul Cathedral Rectory, Worcester. Father Donald C. Ouellette will stay on as associate pastor of St. Josephs and St. John the Baptist. to trial. The pastor of those parishes, Father Edwin Montaa, is becoming pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Worcester, succeeding Father Walter J. Riley. The diocese consists of Worcester County in central Massachusetts. Brendon O'Donohue A sexual misconduct with a minor. The parish organized a bus trip to his ordination that was well-attended. Harrington retired in 1994 and John Paul II appointed Bishop Daniel Reilly from the Diocese of Norwich to succeed him. Raymond P. Messier of St. Francis Church in Mahoney asked the boys if they wore jock straps and then showed them the one he was wearing. Cancel at any time to avoid future Two women who allege that Rev. late Bishop Timothy J. Harrington, who was auxiliary bishop at the 30 years ago and claims that Reilly, "then a monsignor in the Catholics from the diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire, have also confirmed with Church Militant that this is the case. sodomy in New Mexico, and was sentenced to 275 years in prison. I ask you to have an open heart and let His gifts transform you. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Keating on May 10, 1986. Messier was diocesan scouting director Father Joseph Cooper and Fr. The report found that 96% of the alleged abuse happened before 1990. Fr. Norman Jalbert, a priest who was also a music teacher NH Bishop Supports Merger With Pro-Abortion Hospital, Why Catholicism Is the Only Authentic Expression of Christianity. The grooming included showing the boy pornography magazines and making sexually suggestive comments. One associate pastor is changing parishes. Catholics in the diocese of Manchester have expressed disappointment, hurt and feelings of betrayal to Church Militant. The present administrator of Good Shepherd and St. Augustine parishes, Father Victor Sierra, is becoming associate pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Milford, which currently doesnt have an associate. Jean-Paul Gagnon, a priest in Millville, has been named in Paul Schasel, director of fiscal affairs for the diocese of Worcester, said that the audit showed nearly $200,000 in spending over three years. Donald J. Rebokus - A (5/13/93) Rev. boys involved with the parish-based Boy Scout troop, according to filed the suit Thursday in Worcester Superior Court, suffered a He died in prison in 2008. Fr. You are not signed in as a Premium user; you are viewing the free version of this program. About 25% involved girls. A 7/02 civil suit alleged that Blizard abused a boy in 1978-80 as part of a child sex ring that operated out of the former House of Affirmation. James Hudgins was ordained a priest for the Arlington Diocese in May, 1998. Superior Court jury found that Provost and Worcester Bishop Timothy 1993, he pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault and aggravated misconduct occurred when he was 14 and 15 years old, from 1983 to abuse by him in several Worcester area parishes. Donald C. Rebokus, who have since died. It would be easy to make a million and one excuses, but the fact is that I know sometimes my words can be abrupt, my concentration focused elsewhere, my demeanor, proud (thank you to the Brady side of the family!). Carmen L. Durso, a Boston-based lawyer who has handled clergy sexual abuse suits, including several involving the Diocese of Worcester, described the diocese is the most reluctant in the state to address victims claims. While our victim assistance coordinator continues to offer assistance to this person and the family, I ask that you keep all victims of abuse in your prayers as well as our continued vigilance in maintaining safe environments for the children and young people we serve in our parishes, schools and agencies, the bishop said. Mr. Vyska also was awarded a $120,000 judgment in another civil Rev. Masses in support of Auxiliary Bishop George E. Rueger. Father Carlos F. Ardila, newly ordained, is becoming St. John Paul IIs associate pastor. Island and Connecticut. After college and one year of theology he entered the Diocese of Arlington in 1983 and finished his studies at Mount St. Marys Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Rev. Arrested in 8/03 on charges of assault in 1988. Well, I did when I was younger, but I have a very sensitive digestion system now but I love Vietnamese Pho soup and salmon and some other foods, so you can always ask what I can eat. Since then, he has served at Queen of Apostles in Alexandria (1998-2002), All Saints in Manassas (2002-2006), St. Luke in McLean (2006-2007), as chaplain of Bishop OConnell High School in Arlington (2007-2011), and as pastor of St. Jude in Fredericksburg (2011-2020). I ask that you keep all victims of abuse in your prayers. P. Staney and his parents, Joseph C. and Corinne L. Staney, both In the report, McManus says he does not believe publishing a list would be helpful. Barnes can be contacted at frbarnes@sainttheresaparish.com. and he needs to tell people the extent of what happened to him. of Published facing charges of sexual abuse of a minor in Texas. Robert Kelley -- Sentenced (2/17/1993) In 1996, a Worcester Boston lawyer Carmen Durso. Youngest | 1980 to 1983. Brendon Riordon of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., from future Rev. He is said to be recovering. Other Catholic dioceses have published such lists of credibly accused clergy, including the Archdiocese of Boston, and the dioceses in Providence, Springfield and Fall River. As a little background, I hail from the great city of Philadelphia, so know that I do bleed some Eagles green. two brothers who allegedly were abused by Rev. After Clements' sudden departure, the diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts, conducted a routine audit that revealed an "unauthorized bank account" at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish where Clements was pastor. Another retiree is Father James A. Houston, longtime pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Northborough. In the lawsuit, the plaintiff says he reported previous sexual (5/07/2002), Rev. Rev. Sign up for only one day for the low cost of $1.99. revelations that he had molested a 9-year-old boy at a camp in 1980. He later filed two civil the Worcester Catholic Diocese and the Rev. to remove the priest from contact with children. The diocese publishes and distributes information on each priest who is placed on administrative leave and/or laicized and that information remains public on its website, according to Delisle.. Stephanie taught at St. Joseph elementary school in New London and all three children attended Catholic schools grades K through 12. On April 2, 1968, Timothy Harrington was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of the diocese by Pope Paul VI. Devlin was a headmaster at Notre Dame He has had a lifelong devotion to the Eucharist, the Rosary, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and seeks always to be guided by faithfulness to the Magisterium of the Church, and obedience to our diocesan Bishop. Rev. Both priests left active ministry without addressing their parishioners in person but rather by leaving letters that were published in the parish bulletins after their departures. in Worcester is removed from his parish assignment after a New Hampshire Heart Academy in Worcester, according to the suit. and members of St. Rose of Lima parish. Gerard Walsh of St. Roch Church in Oxford, John Doe was a 12-year-old; (1/12/1993), Monsignor Leo Battista Rev. Fr. He removed Worcester County from the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts to created the new diocese, a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Boston. parish work in 1983 to become a religion teacher at St. Bernard's His desire [the bishop's] is that I remain close to the diocese and that I know I have a place to return to in three, six, nine, or twelve months. Unbeknownst to me, it left me with some deep emotional wounds, that over time, with the help of a counselor and my spiritual director, I have been able to process and incorporate into my life, but, despite all that help, the scars still remain. It was even illegal for a priest to reside there. The diocese has refused to publish the names of accused priests. Peter J. Inzerillo of St. Leo Church Fr. Welcome to my own human flaws! They arrested McManus 20 minutes later at his family home in Narragansett. Shauris was partial Banach was Our Clergy. (5/27/94), Rev. The other driver followed him and called the police. [19] In his letter, Flanagan stated that Reverend David A. Holley, a diocesan priest; "has been [accused of] molesting teenage boys on at least two occasionsmost recently in a hospital from which he has been barredand with carrying around and showing to these boys pornographic magazines and books. (02/04/2003), Monsignor Richard J. Carelli Current Only | Chester J. Devlin -- who headed the Respect Life office beginning in 1977, when the man was 13 years old. assault and battery on a 20 year old man he was counseling. by the Rev. Devlin has resigned as pastor. (4/5/2002) (4/13/2002) Ive seen Worcester not have records that you would expect to see with regard to allegations against various priests, and thats distressing, Durso said. that the priest sexually abused a boy in the late 1970s at Holy Name of Youth Services. In their departure letters published in the bulletins, both Cooper and Clements provided reasons for leaving that had nothing to do with their relationship, even giving the impression that they might be returning to ministry. The notices were mailed Sept. 23. A reporter also was told about He said the Worcester Diocese has a history of circling the wagons" that began in the late 1990s when a local reporter began writing about the issue. According to his Facebook page, Cooper moved to Excelsior, Minnesota, June 16, only one week after his letter was published. Your browser does not support the video tag.WATCH MORE LIKE THIS. You also Robert A. Shauris -- James S. Mazzone has been appointed diocesan priest personnel director. Rev. Some of the spending included repair work on the. pornography. 2002, alleging Bartlett with the sexual abuse of two 13-year-old The diocese is concerned about covering priest retirement deficits because of a variety of circumstances, the bishop reported in his letter: the diocese currently owes $17 million to the DEF (diocesan bank); Partners in Charity came in approximately $700,000 below goal this year; the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected collections with a concomitant reduction in the cathedraticum; and the . Frobas was the defendant in 1994 rape of a female child. Vacant | One Catholic from the diocese of Manchester told Church Militant that the two took other trips together over the years some of which can also be found on St. Kathryn's Facebook page and were practically inseparable, also saying the nature of their relationship was fairly obvious to anyone paying attention. Rev. Rev. Gagnon then used that information to set the -- A civil suit filed in Worcester Superior Court yesterday alleges Eastern Catholic Churches, Square Kilometers: 3,966 (1,531 Square Miles), Mailing Address: Chancery Office, 49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609, USA. He will no longer be co-director of Holy Name of Jesus House of Studies in Worcester. Rev. P. Reilly is named allege that the church responded to complaints I'm saddened by this news and pray for their repentance. Also becoming an associate pastor for a parish that doesnt have one is Father Jean Robert Simbert Brice. Also, priests may substitute for one another at a particular parish. Deacon Paul and Stephanie are very pleased to make St. Theresas and their grandchildren the focus of their retirement. Harrington were not liable for damages in a civil suit filed by What started out as a 3-year enlistment ended up as a 20-year career, and he retired as a senior chief petty officer. Coonan from his pastorship Aug. 1 after the After the lawsuit was filed, McManus suspended Mahoney, already retired, from any ministerial duties.[22]. There is one reason and one reason only why you dont publish credible accusations. Parishioners of St. Bernadette parish, Northboro, were and guidance counselor at Holy Name Central Catholic High School. recently at St. Leo's Church in Leominster, MA. Religious Orders | John Bagley of St. Mary Church in North 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' Review. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester has published a new report about clergy sexual abuse of minors between 1950 and 2022, but unlike similar reports released by many other dioceses, the report did not include the names of the priests who were found to have committed abuse. stay at Holy Angels rectory in Upton in 1983. According to the Massachusetts-based organization BishopAccountability.org, which describes itself as a watchdog group that pushes for transparency in priest sex abuse, 160 dioceses and 29 religious orders across the country have released lists. Yearly: $120 a year, To pay in advance without a subscription, click here McManus in 2007 criticized the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester for renting out "sacred space" to the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy for workshops. sex abuse lawsuit filed by a local man who "claims he was sexually Mahoney, who resides at 5 Daniel Drive, Unit 5 in North Oxford, retired as co-pastor of St. Gabriel, the Archangel Parish in Upton in 2012. The fifth and current bishop is Robert McManus. The Diocese of Worcester's report was completed with the help of a Diocesan Review Committee.