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Diocese of Springfield MA Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell
(2004-present) The diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, which comprises the
western part of the state, has a troubling history of sexual abuse
by priests, and the resignation in 2004 of Bishop Thomas L. Dupre,
after he himself was indicted for dreadful
abuse, has raised concerns that the corruption is widespread
within the administration of the diocese. Credit for McDonnell's tougher treatment of Lavigne goes to Rev. James Scahill and the staff and parishioners at St. Michael's in East Longmeadow. Scahill drew renewed attention to the case by witholding his parish's cathedraticum, the parish's required payment to its diocese, until Lavigne's subsidy was ended. Also significant in Springfield are indications from Scahill and others that diocesan documents pertaining to sexual abuse by priests might have been destroyed. This possibility, and certain circumstances surrounding the Lavigne case, also sugggest that offending priests might have worked in a network, with ties to diocesan administration and to priests in other dioceses. That possibility and the indictment of Bishop Dupre himself call
into question the results of Dupre's 2004 report
on sexual abuse by priests in the diocese of Springfield. |
Then we offer 300 pages of documents from the Danny Croteau murder investigation, including 50 pages of accounts by alleged victims of Richard R. Lavigne. Harrowing and essential reading. We also provide links to Web sites that are useful sources of information, including The Republican - the indispensable source on the crisis in western Massachusetts. On a separate page we provide an updated version of our News and Views feature – easy links to important news and commentary on the sexual abuse crisis in the diocese. We will continue to build assignment records of accused priests and we'll add the the News and Views feature too. Please email us with suggestions, criticisms, photos of priests, or documents that we should post.
See also the very useful List of Accused Clergy, by Robert M. Kelly, Western Massachusetts Catholics (August 30, 2009).
ACCUSED PRIESTS WHO WORKED IN SPRINGFIELD PARISHES AND SCHOOLS
| 1 |
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- Born 4/12/27 - Ordained 6/12/54 - Director of the retreat house at the Stigmatine's provincial house in Waltham - St. Ann's in West Springfield MA (parochial vicar) - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in White Plains NY (parochial vicar) [New York archdiocese] - Our Lady of Angels in Woodbridge VA (parochial vicar) [Richmond diocese] - Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Pittsfield MA (parochial vicar) [Springfield MA diocese] - Sacred Family in Lynn MA [Boston archdiocese] - Sacred Heart in Feeding Hills MA [Springfield MA diocese] - Procurator of the Stigmatine Missions. - Died 2/1/01 |
Six men have come forward
alleging they were abused as boys by Ahern or fellow Stigmatine Joseph
E. Flood (see below) . One of the victims alleges he was age 14 when
Ahern masturbated him. Alleged abuse occurred in Springfield, where
the Stigmatines had a provincial residence, and Agawam, where St.
Anthony's was a mission of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a Stigmatine
parish in Springfield. - Biography from Stigmatine Web site (after February 1, 2001) - Abuse Alleged at Wellesley Seminary, by Matt Carroll (August 10, 2002) |
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| 2 |
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At least one claim included in Diocese's
11/08 $4.5M settlement. Deceased per 2008 Diocese of Springfield Directory
(necrology) - Stobierski Press Release (December 3, 2008) |
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| 3 |
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- Ordained 1945. |
Berthiaume is accused of abuse by William
E. Burnett, who says he was molested by his uncle Msgr. Raymond J.
Page, and that Page introduced him to other abusive priests and two
bishops in the Springfield and Worcester dioceses (Weldon and Harrington
respectively). Burnett is said to have passed two polygraph tests
on his allegations, which were investigated by the Worcester diocese
"several years ago" and deemed not credible. The Springfield
diocese says nothing in its files corroborate the allegations. Burnett
is currently in a Texas prison for an unrelated murder. - Murderer Alleges Clergy Sex Abuse, by Bill Zajac (March 31, 2005) - Inmate Files Lawsuit against Two Dioceses, by Sharon Roulier and Father Bill Pomerleau (March 31, 2005) |
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| 4 |
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- Ordained 1966. - St. John the Evangelist in Agawam (1966-72) - St. Patrick's in South Hadley (1972-77) - Leave of Absence (1977-78) |
Woman told diocese in 1993 that she sought
counseling from Blanchard in 1971 at age 15. He was 30; there was
a four-year "relationship" with her. He left priesthood
in 1977, was laicized 6/80 & married. In 1993 the woman, the diocese
and Blanchard settled. He agreed to stay away from people under 18.
In 2009 she learned he was working as volunteer "social worker/
spiritual care coordinator" for diocese resource group &
complained. It took diocese a year to finally remove him. - Victim Remembers Rules, by Kevin Cullen, Boston Globe (June 6, 2010) - Catholic Diocese of Springfield Investigating How Albert Blanchard, Who Left Priesthood Following Child-Sex Charges, Became Youth Religion Teacher, by Stephanie Barry, The Republican (June 10, 2010) |
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| 5 |
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A woman has accused Bonzagni of touching
her sexually on three occasions during confirmation preparations when
she was age 16. In one of those incidents, Bonzagni allegedly hugged
the girl after confession while they said the Lord's Prayer. The girl
rebuffed the priest each time. The case was settled by the diocese
in 8/04, but Bonzagni denies the charge, and the diocesan Review Board
cleared him in 11/04, deeming the accusation "unsubstantiated."
The complainant stands by her account. As a canon lawyer, Bonzagni
has worked on the diocesan marriage tribunal, and he was recently
named the diocese's judicial vicar – the chief canon lawyer. - New Lawsuit Targets Priest Who Served at Lee Church, in Associated Press (September 24, 2003) - Accused Clergy Had Influential Posts, by Stephanie Barry (March 1, 2004) - Diocese Review Board Clears Priest of Sex Charge, in Associated Press (November 12, 2004) |
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| 6 |
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- Ordained 1955. | Boudreau was one of 18 priests included
in an 8/5/04 settlement that revealed for the first time that he was
accused of abuse. Boudreau denies the allegation. - 18 Priests Named in Settlement, by Bill Zajac (August 17, 2004) |
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| 7 |
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- Ordained in 1961 in Palmer MA by
Bishop Vincent S. Waters of Raleigh. |
Corbin is alleged to have abused an 8-year-old
boy from Holy Name parish in Springfield. The priest's technique (arranging
for the boy to play the part of Christ in a school pagent) was similar
to one he used later in North Carolina, where Corbin pled guilty in
1989 to a sex offense and was sentenced to 5 years in jail, of which
he served 60 days. Corbin was ordained in Palmer but incardinated
in Raleigh and then Charlotte. The Springfield diocese denies any
responsibility for him, but the victim has a photo showing Corbin
saying Mass at Holy Name church. The Springfield diocese received
a letter from the Charlotte diocese in 1988, after Charlotte "stripped
Corbin of priestly faculties and banned him from presenting himself
publicly as a priest." Yet when the Springfield complainant came
forward, the Review Board thanked him "because they said Corbin
was then about to fill in for a vacationing priest in the Berkshires."
Fill-in positions appear to be part of Corbin's MO, and the Charlotte
diocese states that he "had not served in the Charlotte diocese
since 1972, but could not account for his whereabouts since then." - Judgment Suspending Sentence and Commitment on Special Probation (January 30, 1989) [victim's name redacted by BA.org] - Priest Admits Sex Crime, by Paul Clark, Asheville Citizen-Times (January 31, 1989) - Retiree Files Suit against Diocese, by Bill Zajac (December 26, 2003) - Alleged Victim Tried to Protect Others, by Bill Zajac (October 11, 2004) |
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| 8 |
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- Ordained in 1986 | Eighteen-year-old boy filed suit 11/05
alleging abuse in 2001-02 when the youth attended Mother Seton Church
in Germantown MD. Suit said abuse occurred in both MD and DC. Cote
placed on leave. Was reported to Archdiocese in 2003 but it just transferred
him to RI. Also alleged to have abused 2nd youth in OH in 1980s. Case
settled 8/07 for $1.2M paid by Order. Also worked in Springfield MA.
Woman filed suit 4/08 alleging abuse of her children. First criminal
charges filed on 7/08. Found guilty 7/09. Received 10 years probation
on 11/09 - Springfield Area Woman Alleges Priest Abused Her Two Young Sons, by Stephanie Barry, The Republican (April 9, 2008) - Former Western Mass. Priest Aaron Cote Found Guilty of Sexually Abusing Altar Boy in Maryland, by Patrick Johnson, The Republican (November 24, 2009) |
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| 9 | Desilets, Donald A.
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- Ordained 1952 - Assumption in Chicopee - St. Thomas Aquinas in Springfield (1971-72) - St. Louis de France in West Springfield (1972-75 - Precious Blood in Holyoke (1975-) - Grand Seminary in Montreal - St. Aloysius of Gonzaga (-10/93) - Died 4/28/01 |
Desilets was accused by two men of molesting
them in the 1970s when they were boys at Precious Blood parish in
Holyoke. As the Misconduct Commission recommended, Desilets was sent
to the Institute of Living for evaluation in the summer of 1993, and
then was sent back to Canada with restrictions, implemented by the
Grand Seminary in Montreal. - Allegations Lead to Priest's Retirement, by Beatrice O'Quinn (December 23, 1993) - Catholics Protest near Law's Residence, Demand Resignation, by Ron DePasquale (February 17, 2002) |
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| 10 |
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- Ordained 1963 in Springfield - Worked at Precious Blood church in Holyoke and as Mercy Hospital chaplain in 1969. |
Accused of molesting at least 20 altar
boys between 1974 and 1984 in Massachusetts. Moved to Canada in 1984
and became a Canadian citizen. Indicted in 2002 for molesting 18 additional
boys 1978-1984. Finally extradited from Canada, pled guilty, and was
sentenced in 2005 to up to 18 months in prison Also probation. Has
asked judge to excuse him from sex offender treatment because of his
advanced age (82) and poor health. Allowed to return to Canada to
serve probation. - List of Accused Clergy, by Robert M. Kelly, Western Massachusetts Catholics (August 30, 2009) |
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| 11 | Devlin, Michael H.
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- Priests
Accused in Suits, by Bill Zajac (January 7, 2005) - Ex-Williamstown Priest Accused of Molesting Teen, in the Berkshire Eagle (December 31, 2004) |
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| 12 | Dodo, Andrew
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- Priest Accused of Misconduct, by Bill Zajac (June 2, 2004) | ||
| 13 |
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| 14 | Doheny, Bernard L.
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Doheny is accused of abuse by William
E. Burnett, who says he was molested by his uncle Msgr. Raymond J.
Page, and that Page introduced him to other abusive priests and two
bishops in the Springfield and Worcester dioceses. Burnett is said
to have passed two polygraph tests on his allegations, which were
investigated by the Worcester diocese "several years ago"
and deemed not credible. The Springfield diocese says nothing in its
files corroborate the allegations. Burnett is currently in a Texas
prison for an unrelated murder. - Murderer Alleges Clergy Sex Abuse, by Bill Zajac (March 31, 2005) - Inmate Files Lawsuit against Two Dioceses, by Sharon Roulier and Father Bill Pomerleau (March 31, 2005) |
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| 15 | Dranka, Eugene, M.S.
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- Worked at parishes in Westfield MA and
Bondsville MA as well as LaSallette settings in Texas and New Hampshire - Died 1974 |
Two allegations of abuse by Dranka were
among the cases settled on 8/5/04. Dranka was a LaSalette order priest. - 18 Priests Named in Settlement, by Bill Zajac (August 17, 2004) |
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| 16 | Dube, Donald V.
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- Born 1935 - Ordained 5/27/61 - St. Ann's in Fairview in 1961 - St. Joseph's in Springfield (assistant 1961-66) - Sacred Heart in Northampton (assistant 1966-1967) - St. Rose de Lima in Aldenville (assistant 1967-73) - St. George's in Chicopee (assistant 1973-78) - St. Joseph's in Springfield (assistant 1975) - Notre Dame in North Adams (pastor 1978-82) - Campus Minister at North Adams State College (chaplain 1978-82) - Dean of Northern Berkshire Deanery (1981-1982) - St. John the Baptist in Ludlow (pastor 1982-90) - Notre Dame in Easthampton (pastor 1990-94) - Member of the Diocesan Building Commission (1988-89) |
Dube was removed from ministry in 1994
after the Misconduct Commission reviewed allegations that the diocese
has not specified. After Dube died in late 2003 and received an admiring
obituary, a man came forward to allege abuse by Dube when he was pastor
of Notre Dame church in North Adams. The alleged victim was an altar
boy, age 8 to 10 at the time of the abuse. - Catholics Protest near Law's Residence, Demand Resignation, by Ron DePasquale (February 17, 2002) - Five Priests Barred from Parish Work, in Associated Press (July 31, 2002) - Obituary for Donald V. Dube, in The [Springfield MA] Republican (December 18, 2003) - Late Berkshire Priest's Estate Sued, by Bill Zajac (May 5, 2004) |
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| 17 | Dupre, Thomas L.
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- Born 11/10/33 - Ordained 5/23/59 - St. George's in Chicopee (assistant 1959-64) - Catholic University of America (1964-67) - St. Joseph's in Springfield (1966) - Chancery Office (1967-69) - Tribunal Office (1969-77) - St. John the Baptist in Ludlow (1970-73) - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in Chicopee (1973-77) - Chancellor of the diocese (1977-95) - St. Louis de France in West Springfield (pastor 1978-1990) - Pro-synodal judge (1982-1990) -Bishop's Commission for the Clergy (1983-86) - Presbyteral Council member (1984-1994) - Secretary for Canonical Affairs (1989-95) - Vicar General (1989-95) - St. Thomas Aquinas in Springfield (pastor 1990) - Ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Springfield (May 31, 1990) - Named administrator of the diocese (July 8, 1994) - Named bishop of Springfield (March, 14, 1995) |
In February 2004 Dupre was accused
by two men of abusing them in the mid- to late 1970s. The abuse
allegedly incuded masturbation and oral sex. One of the victims,
a refugee who was abused from ages 12 to 16, was also digitally
penetrated. The other victim was abused from age 15 to 20. Trips
were taken out of state and to Canada, and abuse allegedly occurred
on these trips. Dupre allegedly used alcohol on his victims, involved
them in the purchase and use of pornography, and sometimes abused
them together. The abuse allegedly began when Dupre was in residence
at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin church in Chicopee and continued
when he became pastor of St. Louis de France church in West Springfield.
During the alleged abuse, Dupre became chancellor of the diocese.
Before he was named auxiliary bishop in 1990, he reportedly called
the victims to a meeting and said he would not accept the appointment
unless they promised to be silent about the abuse. |
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| 18 |
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| 19 | Flood, Joseph E., C.S.S.
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- Born 4/17/16 - Ordained 6/11/49 - Holy Family in Lynn MA - Our Lady of Mount Carmel in White Plains NY - Sacred Heart in Milford MA - All Saints in Manassas VA - Sacred Heart in Feeding Hills MA - Thailand (missionary 1953-62) - Retreat House at Stigmatine provincial house in Waltham MA (director) - Retired in 1993 to Bertoni Hall in Waltham - Died 10/31/96 |
Six men have come forward alleging they
were abused as boys by Flood or fellow Stigmatine Richard J. Ahern
(see above) . Alleged abuse occurred in Springfield, where the Stigmatines
had a provincial residence, and Agawam, where St. Anthony's was a
mission of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a Stigmatine parish in Springfield. - Biography from Stigmatine Web site (after October 31, 1996) - Abuse Alleged at Wellesley Seminary, by Matt Carroll (August 10, 2002) |
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| 20 | Forand, Clarence W.
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- St. Anne's
in Turners Falls (pastor) - Retired in 1993, after allegation is found credible by the Misconduct Commission - St. Anthony of Padua in North Adams (administrator, 1994) - St. Mary's in Palmer (fill-in priest) - St. George's in Chicopee (fill-in priest) |
Forand is accused of molesting a boy at
St. Anne's in Turners Falls up to a thousand times, when the boy was
between the ages of 9 and 17. In 1993 the Misconduct Commission found
these allegations to be credible, but Forand was allowed to retire
without restriction. He filled in at St. Mary's in Palmer and St.
George's in Chicopee, and was briefly administrator of St. Anthony
of Padua North Adams in 1994. He even served briefly as administrator
of St. Anthony of Padua in North Adams in 1994. After the Dallas Charter,
Forand continued to celebrate Mass until 10/02, when illness prevented
him. The Turners Falls victim was included in the 8/4/04 settlement. - Diocese Inaction Faulted, by Bill Zajac (July 6, 2004) - 18 Priests Named in Settlement, by Bill Zajac (August 17, 2004) |
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| 21 |
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Civil suit filed in 3/05 alleges plaintiff
was abused by Gatineau for about one year. Suit said Gatineau also
saw plaintiff abused by another priest and did nothing. Same suit
alleges that plaintiff was abused by his uncle (Msgr. Page), other
priests, and two bishops. Plaintiff was in a Texas prison for an unrelated
murder when suit filed. Worcester diocese said allegations not credible.
Died in 1964. - Lawsuit (March 29, 2005) - Murderer Alleges Clergy Sex Abuse, by Bill Zajac (March 31, 2005) - Inmate Files Lawsuit against Two Dioceses, by Sharon Roulier and Father Bill Pomerleau (March 31, 2005) |
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| 22 | Gauthier, Brother Lawrence, S.C.J.
|
Gauthier, a Sacred Heart brother who was
caretaker of the order's Immaculate Heart of Mary minor seminary (which
closed in 1979-80), has been accused by a man who was allegedly abused
about 100 times by Gauthier in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when
the boy was ages 9 to 12. The alleged victim estimates that 7 to 10
boys were abused by Gauthier during this period. Gauthier would allegedly
force the boys to have anal sexual relations with each other. - Diocese Sued in Sex Case, by Bill Zajac (March 28, 2002) - Pittsfield Man's Suit Alleges Abuse at Ex-Lenox Seminary, by Jack Dew (March 29, 2002) |
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| 23 | Graves, Alfred C.
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- Ordained 1967 |
Graves is accused of raping a boy in 1969-71
at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and other places. The boy was 15 years
old when the abuse began. In 1977, Graves was moved abruptly into
a hospital chaplaincy – a move often made because of an allegation
or some other trouble. In 1981, however, Graves was made pastor by
Bishop Maguire. From 1981 to 1992, Graves was the pastor at three
parishes, including two that had schools. In 1992, Bishop Marshall
put Graves on leave, presumably because of another abuse accusation.
The conditions of his leave were tightened in 2002 after Dupre returned
from the Dallas bishops' conference. - Catholics Protest near Law's Residence, Demand Resignation, by Ron DePasquale (February 17, 2002) - Five Priests Barred from Parish Work, in Associated Press (July 31, 2002) - Ex-Nun Named in Sex-Abuse Suit: The former nun accused of sexually abusing a minor once taught at Mater Dolorosa School in Holyoke, by Stephanie Barry (December 30, 2004) - Graves' assignment to Farren Memorial Hospital in 1977 or early 1978 might have been hasty. The index of the 1978 Directory lists him still at Our Lady of Hope, but the diocesan pages place him at the hospital. - Graves is listed as Absent on Leave in the 1994-2002 Directories, and then is not indexed in the 2003. |
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| 24 | Huller, E. Karl
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- Dead
Priest in Abuse Suit Defended, by Bill Zajac (March 24, 2003) - Bishop Supports ‘Just’ Settlement of Abuse Cases, by Kathleen Mellen (October 2, 2003) - Accused Clergy Had Influential Posts, by Stephanie Barry (March 1, 2004) |
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| 25 |
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- Ordained 1956. - St. Brigid's in Amherst (assistant 1956-57) - Our Lady of the Valley in Sheffield, with missions Immaculate Conception in Mill River and Our Lady of the Hills in Monterey (assistant 1957-) - St. Thomas in Huntington with missions St. John's in Chester and Our Lady of the Rosary in Russell |
Jenness is alleged to have abused four
brothers and to have pimped the brothers to other priests for abuse:
Revs. Francis P. Lavelle, Edward M. Kennedy, Ronald E. Wamsher, and
Thomas J. O'Connor. One brother alleges that he was abused by all
the priests, and that Jenness and O'Connor shared him during a night
at Jenness's camp in Huntington. The priests used alcohol, marijuana,
and pornography to further the abuse, which is alleged to have occurred
1967-83. The boys' mother unwittingly facilitated the abuse, and a
Boy Scout leader is alleged to have done so knowingly. - 4 Brothers File Priest Abuse Suit, by Bill Zajac (December 13, 2003) Sadly, Jenness's proclivities were known 10 years before the abuse of the brothers began. He was reported to have engaged in mutual masturbation with a teenage boy in 1957 at the apartment of Rev. Donald M. Osgood, an accused Manchester NH priest. At the time, Osgood was chaplain of Sacred Heart Hospital in Manchester, and his apartment was a gathering place for abusive behavior. Pornography was used and oral sex was performed. A Worcester priest discussed the situation with Albert W. Olkovikas, who wrote a detailed note to the file, labeled "in strictissima [silentia?]." The Worcester priest met with Olkovikas at the urging of Msgr. Timothy P. O'Connell, officialis of the Worcester diocese. This note (see the link below) is also important because it describes one network of abusers in Manchester and alludes to another in Boston. It also shows a vigilance regarding the abuse of boys by priests, although this vigilance apparently didn't stop Jenness from offending. Note that there is no "Roy Genest" in the Directory - clearly Roy Jenness is the priest being discussed. - A.W. Olkovikas, Notes for File on Worcester Priest's Report on a Group of Abusers, Including Genest, (September 3, 1958) - For the entire Osgood file in large PDFs, see {1} {2} {3} {4} {5} {6}. |
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| 26 | Kelly, Vernon | At least one claim included in diocese's
11/08 $4.5M settlement. |
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| 27 | Kennedy, Edward M.
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- Catholics
Protest near Law's Residence, Demand Resignation, by Ron DePasquale
(February 17, 2002) - Five Priests Barred from Parish Work, in Associated Press (July 31, 2002) - 4 Brothers File Priest Abuse Suit, by Bill Zajac (December 13, 2003) - Accused Clergy Had Influential Posts, by Stephanie Barry (March 1, 2004) |
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| 28 | Koonz, John A.
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- Parish Is Told of Abuse Probe: 3 Men Accuse Former Dalton Priest of Abuse, by Scott S. Greenberger (September 16, 2002) | ||
| 29 | Laflamme, Paul
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- Diocese in Denial, by Warren Mason (November 4, 2003) | ||
| 30 | LaMontagne, Gary A.
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- Westfield
Priest Charged with Rape, Sexual Assault, by Jean Caldwell (April
25, 1992) [about Rev. Gary LaMontagne] - Statement, by Bishop John A. Marshall (June 26, 1992) - Priest Sentenced in Westfield Case, in Associated Press (November 7, 1992) |
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| 31 | Landry, Leo P., C.P.S.
|
- Born 12/11/29 - Ordained 5/31/58 - Sacred Heart in Waltham MA (7/28/58-6/8/59) - Elm Bank, a Stigmatine Junior Seminary, in Wellesley (pastoral year 7/28/58-6/8/59) - Sault Ste. Marie, Canada - Sacred Heart in Waltham MA - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Pittsfield MA (8/60-6/17/61) - St. Anthony's in Agawam (6/17/61-1/16/62) - South Porcupine, Canada - Our Lady of Angels in Woodbridge VA [Richmond diocese] - Retreat House at Stigmatine provincial house in Waltham MA - Timmins, Canada - St. Ann's in West Springfield MA (6/17/65-8/65) - Parishes in NH - Laicized 6/72 |
Landry admitted that he masturbated 4
or 5 boys (age 14 or 15) in Agawam while he was assigned to St. Anthony's
(1961-62). - Priests Accused in Suits, by Bill Zajac (January 7, 2005) |
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| 32 | Lavelle, Francis P.
|
- 4
Brothers File Priest Abuse Suit, by Bill Zajac (December 13, 2003) - Accused Clergy Had Influential Posts, by Stephanie Barry (March 1, 2004) - Priests Accused in Suits, by Bill Zajac (January 7, 2005) |
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| 33 | Lavigne, Richard R.
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- St. Catherine
of Siena in Springfield (assistant 1967-68) - St. Mary's in Springfield (assistant 1968-76) - St. Francis in North Adams (assistant 1976-77) - St. Joseph's in Shelburne Falls with missions at St. John the Baptist in Colrain and St. Christopher's in Charlemont (assistant 1977-82; pastor and sole priest 1982-92) - Absent on leave (1992-2002) |
- Father
Lavigne Pleads Guilty: Priest Evades Jail Term, by Brian Melley
(June 26, 1992) - Priest Not Tied to Murder: DNA Tests Don't Point to Lavigne in Croteau Case, by Trudy Tynan (August 5, 2004) |
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| 34 | Leary, Timothy J.
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- Priests
Accused in Suits, by Bill Zajac (January 7, 2005) - Diocese Receives Abuse Complaints, by Bill Zajac (January 8, 2005) |
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| 35 | Malbouef, Ronald
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- Former North Adams Priest Faces Suit Alleging Sex Abuse, by Susan Bush (March 24, 2003) | ||
| 36 | Martone, James A., Deacon
|
- Springfield
Bishop Dissolves Fund for Accused Priests, Removes Critic from Board,
by Trudy Tynan (May 12, 2004) - Priest Accused of Misconduct, by Bill Zajac (June 2, 2004) |
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| 37 | McCarthy, Thomas
|
- Ordained 1951 | At least one claim included in diocese's
11/08 $4.5M settlement. - Stobierski Press Release (December 3, 2008) |
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| 38 | McNamara, John D.
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- Ordained 1948 | At least one claim included in diocese's
11/08 $4.5M settlement. - Stobierski Press Release (December 3, 2008) |
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| 39 | Meehan, Richard F.
|
- Catholics
Protest near Law's Residence, Demand Resignation, by Ron DePasquale
(February 17, 2002) - Five Priests Barred from Parish Work, in Associated Press (July 31, 2002) - Bishop's Records at Issue Again, by Bill Zajac (February 9, 2004) - Diocese's Report on Sex Abuse Questioned: DA Considers Action on Springfield Records, by Kevin Cullen (February 21, 2004) - Accused Clergy Had Influential Posts, by Stephanie Barry (March 1, 2004) |
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| 40 | Menge, James P.
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- Ordained 1962 | At least one claim included in diocese's
11/08 $4.5M settlement. - Stobierski Press Release (December 3, 2008) |
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| 41 | O'Connor, Thomas J.
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- 4 Brothers File Priest Abuse Suit, by Bill Zajac (December 13, 2003) | ||
| 42 | O'Hearn, Richard
|
One man settled with diocese for $75,000
in 11/08 as part of $4.5M settlement. He claimed abuse by O'Hearn
at Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in Pittsfield. - Some Clergy Abuse Claimants Demand More from Diocese, by Matt Delucia, CBS 3 (December 9, 2008) |
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| 43 | O'Malley, Thomas F.
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- 18 Priests Named in Settlement, by Bill Zajac (August 17, 2004) | ||
| 44 | Page, Raymond J.
|
- Deceased 1998. | Page is accused by his nephew, William
E. Burnett, of abusing him 30 times, beginning in 1950 when the boy
was age 9. Some of the abuse allegedly occurred at Page's cabin in
Holland, in the Springfield diocese. Page was a Springfield priest
1946-50, and then a Worcester diocesan priest after that diocese was
formed in 1950. He became vicar general in 1983. Burnett says Page
introduced him to other abusive priests and two bishops in the Springfield
and Worcester dioceses (Weldon and Harrington respectively). Burnett
is said to have passed two polygraph tests on his allegations, which
were investigated by the Worcester diocese several years ago and deemed
not credible. The Springfield diocese says nothing in its files corroborate
the allegations. Burnett is currently incarcerated in a Texas prison
for an unrelated murder. - Murderer Alleges Clergy Sex Abuse, by Bill Zajac (March 31, 2005) - Inmate Files Lawsuit against Two Dioceses, by Sharon Roulier and Father Bill Pomerleau (March 31, 2005) |
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| 45 | Paquette, Thomas F.
|
- Ordained 1957 - Assignment record |
Faculties removed 1978. Allegations in
Fall River MA, IN and VT. 1st VT civil suit settled for $965K in 4/06
just before trial. Named in new suit 3/07. Jury awarded $8.7M to one
plaintiff 5/08. One suit settled 7/08. Another suit tried tomistrial
8/08. 3rd trial 12/08 awarded $3.6M. Laicization announced 5/09. 4th
trial 10/09 awarded $2.2M. 19 of 26 cases settled 5/10 alleged abuse
by Paquette. 3 on appeal also settled. - Letters Detail Charges of Abuse by Priest, by Bill Zajac, The Republican (July 3, 2006) - Past Still Haunts Accused Priest, by Bill Zajac, The Republican (February 27, 2005) - • Verdict: Jury Awards $8.7 Million to Plaintiff, by Sam Hemingway, Burlington Free Press (May 13, 2008) - Jury Awards $3.6 Million in Abuse Case, Burlington Free Press (12/17/2008) - Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington Settles Abuse Lawsuits for $17.6 Million, by Sam Hemingway, Burlington Free Press (May 13, 2010) |
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| 46 | Riley, Leo Thomas
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- Biography
from Stigmatine Web site (after October 31, 1995) - Abuse Alleged at Wellesley Seminary, by Matt Carroll (August 10, 2002) |
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| 47 | Russell, John R.
|
- Alleged Abuse Survivor Works to Promote Healing in the Church, by Rebecca Drake (May 13, 2005) | ||
| 48 |
|
At least one claim included in diocese's
11/08 $4.5M settlement. - Stobierski Press Release (December 3, 2008) |
||
| 49 | Scanlon, John
|
At least one claim included in diocese's
11/08 $4.5M settlement. - Stobierski Press Release (December 3, 2008) |
||
| 50 | Sipitkowski, James A.
|
- Diocese Sued by Former Worker: Sexual Harassment by a Catholic Priest Is Alleged in the Suit Filed by a 10-Year Employee, by Bill Zajac (February 7, 2004) | ||
| 51 | Vidnansky, Mary Jane
|
Accused in 2004 suit of sexually abusing
a boy 1974-76, starting when the boy was age 14 and attending Mater
Dolorosa School in Holyoke. Abuse is alleged to have included intercourse.
Plaintiff said Vidnansky told him she was pregnant by him and that
she had had an abortion. Vidnansky left the Franciscan Sisters of
St. Joseph in the mid-1970s. - Ex-Nun Named in Sex-Abuse Suit, by Stephanie Barry, The Republican (December 30, 2004 ) |
||
| 52 | Walsh, James T.
|
Walsh is accused of abuse by William E.
Burnett, who says he was molested by his uncle Msgr. Raymond J. Page,
and that Page introduced him to other abusive priests and two bishops
in the Springfield and Worcester dioceses. Burnett is said to have
passed two polygraph tests on his allegations, which were investigated
by the Worcester diocese "several years ago" and deemed
not credible. Burnett is currently incarcerated in a Texas prison
for an unrelated murder. - Murderer Alleges Clergy Sex Abuse, by Bill Zajac (March 31, 2005) - Inmate Files Lawsuit against Two Dioceses, by Sharon Roulier and Father Bill Pomerleau (March 31, 2005) |
||
| 53 | Wamsher, Ronald E.
|
- 4
Brothers File Priest Abuse Suit, by Bill Zajac (December 13, 2003) - Accused Clergy Had Influential Posts, by Stephanie Barry (March 1, 2004) |
||
| 54 | Welch, David P.
|
- Bishop's
Records at Issue Again, by Bill Zajac (February 9, 2004) - Diocese's Report on Sex Abuse Questioned: DA Considers Action on Springfield Records, by Kevin Cullen (February 21, 2004) - Accused Clergy Had Influential Posts, by Stephanie Barry (March 1, 2004) |
||
| 55 | Weldon, Christopher J.
|
- Born 9/6/05 |
Bishop Weldon is accused of abuse by William
E. Burnett, who says he was molested by his uncle Msgr. Raymond J.
Page, and that Page introduced him to other abusive priests and also
to Weldon and Worcester bishop Harrington. Weldon allegedly abused
Burnett three times at St. Michael's Cathedral when Burnett was between
the ages of 10 and 16. Burnett is said to have passed two polygraph
tests on his allegations, which were investigated by the Worcester
diocese "several years ago" and deemed not credible. The
Springfield diocese says nothing in its files corroborate the allegations.
Burnett is currently in a Texas prison for an unrelated murder. - Murderer Alleges Clergy Sex Abuse, by Bill Zajac (March 31, 2005) - Inmate Files Lawsuit against Two Dioceses, by Sharon Roulier and Father Bill Pomerleau (March 31, 2005) |
Note: This table is a work in progress. We aim to list every priest who has been publicly accused, and we list priests only if the accusation against them has been reported in the media or is accessible in publicly filed court documents or investigative files. We do not make allegations; we only re-report them. We make no representation regarding the truth or accuracy of the allegations that we document, and we remind our readers that accused persons are considered innocent in a court of law until proven guilty. We also aim to post any evidence against an accusation and news of various "exonerations," but we remind our readers that exonerations by hand-picked diocesan Review Boards or by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith are not acquittals in a court of law.
We welcome suggestions
for making this record more complete. Some assignment records are drawn
from media reports, while others we built ourselves from the Official
Catholic Directory. They too are works in progress. We aim to make
them completely accurate, but we are limited by nature of the Official
Catholic Directory. It does not report start and stop dates, and
it sometimes misrepresents the whereabouts of a priest. It also reports
once a year in the spring, after data are gathered in the fall and winter
of the the previous year. Brief appointments between reporting periods
are not reflected in the Directory.
FILES OF THE DANNY CROTEAU MURDER
INVESTIGATION
On July 27, 2004, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ordered
these files opened, after prolonged litigation that pitted The Republican
newspaper and attorney John Stobierski against Richard R. Lavigne and
Hampden County District Attorney William M. Bennett. The court's decision
ended a 1996 impoundment order. We post the investigative files in easy-to-download
sections (the numbers are the page numbers stamped on the released file,
which was redacted to keep witnesses' names confidential). For background
see Court
Opens Croteau Murder Files, by Bill Zajac (July 27, 2004).
| 001-008 Judge Moriarty denies on 9/29/93 Lavigne's motion for return of his blood sample. | 089-098 Motions and orders relating to impoundment and return of the blood sample to Lavigne. | 147-157 Complaint sheet: Murder crime scene and early investigation. | 236-241 The 1972 autopsy report and 1992 grand jury findings on Shelbourne molestations 1987-88 and 1983-85. |
| 009-016 Moriarty denial continued. | 099-106 Motions relating to a stay on delivering the blood sample to Bennett. | 158-166 Brief victims' statements. | 242-247 Papers terminating Lavigne's employment as an assistant recreation leader in 1958 because he was an "undesirable person to be around children. Also a 1992 list (redacted) of Lavigne's victims. |
| 017-024 Moriarty denial continued. | 107-112 Memorandum and order from Judge Moriarty, filed 9/25/93, in which he continues impoundment and explains his reasons. | 167-173 1992 grand jury findings on Shelbourne molestations 1987-88 and 1983-85. | 248-254 Report of postmortem exam, including blood alcohol level. |
| 025-033 Moriarty denial concluded. Search warrant for Lavigne's blood issued by Judge Moriarty on 9/2/93. Motion dated 9/7/93 by DA Bennett to impound the application for search warrant, with Moriarty's note allowing the motion. | 113-117 Moriarty's 9/25/93 memorandum and order concuded. | 174-180 One Lavigne victim's account of abuse 1986-90, beginning when the boy was age 13, and incuding abuse during trips to the Grand Canyon, Pennsylvania, French Canada, and California. | 255-260 Affidavit dated 5/13/93 of James A. Coleman and copies of pages from his 1970 book The Circle, a tough neighborhood roman à clef in which Lavigne is "Father Ravine," a hip priest who "likes the kids so much, there must be something wrong with him." |
| 034-041 Lavigne motion for hearing on returning his blood sample and denying Bennett's motion for its release to the Commonwealth. Bennett's 9/24/93 memo supporting motion to release the blood sample. | 118-125 Trooper Daly's 9/2/93 application for a search warrant to draw Lavigne's blood, with a supporting affidavit. | 181-187 Account continued. | 261-269 Excerpts from a government publication Child Molesters: A Behavioral Analysis. |
| 042-049 Bennett's 9/24/93 motion continued. | 126-133 Daly's 9/2/93 affidavit continued. | 188-195 Account concluded. | 270-277 A 1972 forensic examination of materials at the murder scene and a 1993 forensic examination including DNA analysis. |
| 050-056 Bennett's 9/24/93 motion concluded. | 134-140 Daly's 9/2/93 affidavit continued. | 196-203 Other victims' accounts, including another account of the abuse described on pp. 174-95. | 278-286 The 1993 DNA analysis concluded. |
| 057-064 Lavigne's 9/9/93 memo supporting his motion for return of his blood sample. | 141-146 Daly's 9/2/93 affidavit concluded. | 204-211 Victims' accounts continued, including arrest of Lavigne and report of abuse to Auxiliary Bishop Leo O'Neil. | 287-292 Motions, orders, and affidavits relating to the DNA test of the blood sample. |
| 065-072 Lavigne's 9/9/93 memo continued. | 212-219 Victims' accounts continued, including behavior of "Dickie Lavigne" as seminarian and his later abuse of two six-year-old boys. | 293-299 DNA test affidavit and order. Pages pulled from Judge Moriarity's 9/29/93 order and replaced with redacted pages. | |
| 073-080 Lavigne's 9/9/93 memo continued. | 220-227 Victims' accounts continued, including abuse in houses belonging to Lavigne's parents and friends; abuse of boys asleep and drunk; and abuse reported to Bishop O'Neil. | ||
| 081-088 Lavigne's 9/9/93 memo concluded. Motion dated 9/29/93 by Bennett to continue to impound the application for search warrant, with Moriarty's note allowing the motion. Lavigne's 9/30/93 motion to continue the 9/29/93 stay on delivering the blood sample to Bennett. | 228-235 Victims' accounts concluded, including abuse on a camping trip with Danny Croteau and a police interview with Vice Chancellor Thrasher, who shared rectories with Lavigne. | ||
| Batch 1: 001-088 | Batch 2: 089-146 | Batch 3: 147-235 | Batch 4: 236-242 |
OTHER DOCUMENTS
* Deposition of Fr. James J. Scahill - Direct
Examination Cross Examination
. In the direct examination, Scahill quotes Dupre as saying, "Fortunately
for us, before his retirement Bishop Weldon destroyed many personal and
personnel records."
* Bishop Thomas Dupre's Statement
Regarding His Own September 2003 Deposition
* Maurice E. DeMontigny's 2003 affidavit
stating that priests working with Lavigne in the early 1970s, including
the future Bishop O'Neil, were aware of abuse by Lavigne and closeness
with boys. Montigny also states that Bishop Weldon was informed in the
early 1990s.
WEB RESOURCES
* Springfield diocesan
Web site.
* Web site of the Catholic
Observer, the diocesan newspaper.
* Web site of The Republican, which has covered the Springfield crisis aggressively and went to court to obtain the release of the Croteau investigative files.
* The Republican's Church
in Crisis page, source of the Croteau investigative documents (see
above) and an interesting table of diocesan
real estate holdings.
Please send suggestions for adding documents to staff@bishop-accountability.org.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.