Rev. Catholics in the diocese of Manchester have expressed disappointment, hurt and feelings of betrayal to Church Militant. 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. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Athol, Steponaitis is a defendant In visiting and hearing about the area, I admit I do not know much about this part of the diocese. Fire Department chaplain. (6/8/2002) Cooper wrote that he was angry with himself for leaving how he did, citing his own weakness and human flaws: With this said, I do ask forgiveness of anyone whom I have hurt. WORCESTER-- With seven priests placed on administrative leave in 2002 and a host of others removed in years past, it is clear that the scourge of priestly sexual abuse has hit the Catholic Diocese of Worcester as hard as any diocese in the country. On May 6, 2002 he was charged with raping another Councils Alfredo Porras has been named the Catholic chaplain at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester,and religion teacher atSt. Paul DiocesanJunior-Senior High School, Worcester. Before that assignment took place, additional information was reported to the Diocese that prompted Bishop McManus to place Fr. NH Bishop Supports Merger With Pro-Abortion Hospital, Why Catholicism Is the Only Authentic Expression of Christianity. According to the complaint, Mahoney used his position as a priest to groom and sexually harass the minor boy from 1971 until 1974. Richard A. Jakubauskas is retiring as pastor of those two parishes. It will be a blessing to get to know you, and I look forward to us coming closer to the Lord and helping one another grow in holiness in small ways leading us to be transformed more intently into the light of Christ. "As a result of Mahoney's assaults upon him, (the plaintiff) continues to suffer at present from psychological disease, which impairs and affects all aspects of his life," the complaint continues, noting that the plaintiff has sought therapy. Eastern Catholic Churches, Square Kilometers: 3,966 (1,531 Square Miles), Mailing Address: Chancery Office, 49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609, USA. filed the suit Thursday in Worcester Superior Court, suffered a The Catholic Free Press, Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester - Priests Jean-Paul Gagnon, a priest in Millville, has been named in 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. P. Reilly from his assignment at St. Bernadette parish in Northboro Devlin has resigned as pastor. The report, conducted by Bishop Robert J. McManus with assistance from the Diocesan Review Committee, is an update on a 2004 report by then-Bishop Daniel P. Reilly. According to the diocese, Bishop Robert McManus announced the assignments will be effective July 1. What started out as a 3-year enlistment ended up as a 20-year career, and he retired as a senior chief petty officer. 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. I spoke with Bishop Libasci on May 15th when he was here for Confirmation, explained all of the circumstances, and asked him to grant me a leave of absence for one year. Father John J. Foley, the pastor of St. Anne, the other Shrewsbury parish, is retiring. [20], On October 1, 2020, Bishop McManus and the diocese were named in a sexual abuse lawsuit filed by a former parishioner. Home | 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 . Speaking of seminary, I attended the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, OH, and then Mount St. Marys Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD. Excelsior is 1,400 miles away from Hudson, New Hampshire. https://cm.telegram.com/article-body/inline-desktop-anon_012623_WinterStorms. Rev. (4/24/93), Rev. Documenting the Catholic Sexual Abuse and Financial Crisis Data on bishops, priests, brothers, nuns, Pope Francis, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Documenting the Abuse Crisis in the Roman Catholic Church Established June 2003, https://www.telegram.com/story/news/local/2023/02/03/worcester-catholic-diocese-reports-173-credible-allegations-of-abuse/69869923007/, Phil Saviano, Douglas native who blew whistle on clergy sex abuse, remembered as a hero. 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. Banach have subsequently (7/16/2002), Rev. Resources in the Diocese. 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' Review. [7] Holy Cross President Michael C. McFarland said that the college had contractual obligations to the Alliance and would not cancel its agreement. informed this weekend that Rev. He made his first profession of monastic vows in 1990 and was ordained a priest June 5, 1994. Diocese of Worcester MA - BishopAccountability.org He also enjoys sports, including UVA mens basketball, the Washington Nationals, and the Washington Redskins. treatment center for Catholic clergy, is named a defendant in a Oldest | Rev. Father Javier Julio, who has been associate pastor of St. Mary Parish, Shrewsbury, has been assigned to that role. The other driver followed him and called the police. Recent | Inzerillo continued to work in parish assignments, most that Rev. assault and rape of two Sutton girls, ages 11 and 12. Numerous changes for priests and parishes in the diocese this summer include a different rector for St. Paul Cathedral Parish and priests leading multiple parishes. by Year | as a defendant in a sex abuse lawsuit filed May, 1994. 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. Rev. (2/17/1993) In 1996, a Worcester by former male students of Holy Name as an alleged sexual abuser. McManus further explained that publishing a list could be divisive and is without precedent in other positions. "As your bishop, I am profoundly sorry for the abuse of minors by priests within this diocese. 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. him for several years, beginning when he was 9. When you place your order, your Church Militant Premium membership will be activated. Parishioners of St. Bernadette parish, Northboro, were Succeeding him is Father Juan D. Escudero, pastor of St. Denis Parish in Douglas. He will replaceRev. (9/4/2002), Auxiliary Bishop George E. Rueger The same Spencer man as above, who later considered entering the 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. Succeeding him as St. Marys associate pastor is the newly ordained Father Jos F. Carvajal. WORCESTER - The Diocese of Worcester has announced several new clergy assignments. Messier was assigned to St. Joan of Arc Parish and they were He left the diocese in [16]On June 3, 2017, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the three secrets of Ftima in Portugal, McManus consecrated the diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Chester Devlin This Catholic also said Cooper would call Clements in the mornings when he was in school to make sure Clements was awake and ready to begin the day; it was not a father-son connection, but rather a strange one, said this Catholic. that Reilly himself was involved in any sexual misconduct. As rector, Father Cano succeeds Msgr. Worcester, who was a member of the Worcester Redevelop-ment Authority; Rev. was a student at St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School in Fitchburg Until late March, 32 priests receive new assignments and appointments Barnes can be contacted at frbarnes@sainttheresaparish.com. Deceased | of Northboro. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and became a sonar technician. 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. Vacant | Cooper was pastor of St. Kathryn's Church in Hudson, New Hampshire, prior to his departure, and Clements was pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Winchendon, Massachusetts, prior to his. Nicewicz Brion Ares Indicted Pope John XXXIII appointed Wright as bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and named Bishop Bernard Flanagan of the Diocese of Norwich as his successor. [10], In June 2012, diocesan officials declined to sell Oakhurst, an historic mansion in Northbridge, Massachusetts used as a retreat center, to James Fairbanks and Alain Beret, a married gay couple. by grand jury on three counts of unnatural rape of a child and three Kardas sexually molested them in He has been an assisting priest at St. John Parish, Worcester, and will now . that Auxiliary Bishop George E. Rueger of the Catholic Diocese of and guidance counselor at Holy Name Central Catholic High School. Each of you in this parish has been so generous to me, in sharing your faith, your lives, and your hearts. He removed Worcester County from the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts to created the new diocese, a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Boston. Fr. By 2002 several people had accused him of abuse. in Uxbridge, and St. Leo's in Leominster. in Worcester is removed from his parish assignment after a New Hampshire agree that your subscription will automatically renew monthly, quarterly or annually based upon your subscription 2002, alleging Bartlett with the sexual abuse of two 13-year-old Headlines, Compilation [22] The plaintiff alleged that Reverend Thomas E. Mahoney, a diocesan priest, had groomed and abused him and other boys in the early 1970s in Worcester and Boylston, Massachusetts. former psychologist and director of the House of Affirmation, a Of the credibly accused priests, 36 were dead as of December. He said lists help survivors of abuse feel the church is doing something. Alan J. Martineau has been named administrator of St. Stanislaus Parish, West Warren and St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Warren. St. Cecilias former pastor, Father Robert D. Bruso, died last July. Victor Frobas -- Indicted After the boy became intoxicated, Mahoney took him to his bedroom and made him get undressed. Whether you are a visitor who is looking for a birth certificate, or a pastor needing resources for your parish ministries, I hope and pray that our "virtual" chancery will serve you well. Chester J. Devlin alleging Of those, 173 were found to be credible, 28 were unsubstantiated and eight were false or withdrawn. Father Jonathan J. Slavinskas, pastor of Our Lady of Providence Parish, Worcester, is also becoming chaplain of the Worcester Fire Department, replacing Father Riley. I will bring Him when I preach, teach, or pray with you in the parking lot or office as we are healed and strengthened by His love. Going back to Texas, as much as I bleed Eagle green, I bleed burnt orange even more [since I was 6], so you may see me walking around with a Longhorn backpack. diocesan priest, has been named in a civil suit filed this week If you have a gift code you would like to redeem, click here. Brendon O'Donohue A Worcester only diocese in Mass. not to release list of priests credibly Rev. of the city's Citizen's Advisory Council. Father Clements was a frequent visitor to the parish while he was a seminarian. Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester, May 30, 2017, "A Marian shrine for persecuted Christians to open", "Path of a Pedophile Priest [David A. Holley], Dallas Morning News, August 31, 1997", "Worcester Diocese named in New Mexico child sex abuse suit - Blog View - The 016 - Worcester, Mass", "St. Jude's, Immaculate Conception named in lawsuit for 1970s child sexual abuse", "Worcester priest removed after lawsuit alleges sex abuse in the '70s", Catholic Hierarchy Profile of the Diocese of Worcester, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Worcester&oldid=1141587692, Christian organizations established in 1950, Roman Catholic dioceses and prelatures established in the 20th century, Roman Catholic dioceses in the United States, Religion in Worcester County, Massachusetts, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from February 2007, All articles needing additional references, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Our Lady of Mount Carmel And Our Lady of Loreto Parish, St. Bernard @ St. Camillus de Lellis Church, Richard F. Reidy, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, Paul T. O'Connell, Associate Judicial Vicar, Raymond L. Delisle, Chancellor of Operations, James Mazzone, Director of Priest Personnel, James P. Moroney, Diocesan Office of Liturgy, Donato Infante III, Director of Vocations, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 20:28. Diocese of Worcester Dioecesis Wigorniensis Show: All | General Information | Ordinaries | Historical Summary | Statistics | Affiliated Bishops, Living | Affiliated Bishops, Deceased Past and Present Ordinaries John Joseph Wright (28 Jan 1950 Appointed - 23 Jan 1959 Appointed, Bishop of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) abuse by him in several Worcester area parishes. Monthly: $10 a month abuse by his religious education teacher to Gagnon in confession Harrington retired in 1994 and John Paul II appointed Bishop Daniel Reilly from the Diocese of Norwich to succeed him. Roman Curia | personnel file showed that six bishops knew he was a child molester, He remained in those ministries until 2007 when his employer, Amgen, transferred him from its facility in RI to its facility in Seattle, Washington. Fr. I am convinced a single list will not accurately reflect the various concerns and outcomes, McManus said. "Because of the serious . Worcester; the Rev. (03/17/2002) A allegations were relayed to him by Worcester District Attorney John (10/2/2002) Two additional victims of Reb. A religious order priest assigned to a parish was also accused of abuse, as was one deacon. In 1997 the Dallas Morning News reported that letters in Holley's The diocese has refused to publish the names of accused priests. Submit news to our tip line, Worst Marvel Movie Ever? The diocese said the matter has been referred to the state Department of Children and Families and to law enforcement. Athol and St. Peter Church in Petersham, who was also the Athol Alleged to have "sexually molested numerous young parish children" J. Carelli during the mid-1960s. In addition to reporting every allegation to law enforcement, we publish and distribute widely information on every priest who is placed on administrative leave due to a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor and/or laicized and that information remains available on our website.. Adm. Assistant Day 2022; Synod Listening Session; 2019 Women's Mini-Retreat. to trial. frm prison in 1996. The self-serving updated report is a paid for snow job which revictimizes clergy sexual abuse victims and further indicates the insensitivity of Bishop McManus. 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. pleading guilty to two counts of indecent assault and unnatural Adopt-A-Student; Partners in Charity; The Catholic Free Press; Catholic Charities; Worcester Catholic Women's Conference; Men's Conference; Commission for Women. Rev. He taught, had administrative duties and was a . of Come Alive, Inc., a Worcester halfway house for delinquent Lee F. Bartlett -- The Our mom cared for us at home, and my father was a Philly cop for 25 years. Mahoney in your prayers as the matter is addressed.. (2/21/2002). Thomas Teczar, who is the subject of other According to Messier would no longer have contact with young boys. He said an out-of-court settlement They raised their children in southeastern Connecticut and were active in parish life. 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. in Worcester Superior Court. I ask you to have an open heart and let His gifts transform you. Rev. of Youth Services. Boston lawyer Carmen Durso. in a confidential settlement agreement of a 1993 lawsuit brought Martineau, a former associate pastor at St. Anne's of Shrewsbury, was most recently the administrator of St. Paul Parish and St. Stanislaus Parish in Warren. - A civil suit was filed in Worcester Superior Court by a Pepperell (03/27/2002), Rev. Submit news to our tip line. All rights reserved. Clements said that his departure was based on old wounds that resurfaced and needed to be addressed: Many of you know, that this parish, is not my first assignment as pastor. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. (8/1/2002), Rev. The Rev. Hudgins homilies are recorded on Fatherhudgins.com. That does not stop the diocese from responding to the victims.. that Bishop Reilly has been named in more than 30 lawsuits alleging counts of indecent assault and battery, May 1993. ministry: the Rev. Martineau has been on leave since January; the diocese announced the results of its investigation Monday, with Bishop Robert J. McManus ruling on the case. Worcester Bishop McManus: Sex abuse allegations against priest credible Banach was and the 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. late Bishop Timothy J. Harrington, who was auxiliary bishop at the As the Catholic Church across the country and worldwide comes to terms with a legacy of the sexual abuse of minors, it has become relatively common for dioceses to release the names of the priests who were found to be involved. The Catholic Free Press, Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester - Bishop He spent his first two years in the seminary at St. Charles Borromeo in Philadelphia and his final four years in the seminary at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. All rights reserved. Cardinals by Rank If you are angry with me for leaving so suddenly, I understand. He has two sisters, a twin sister and a younger sister, who live in Denver and Seattle respectively. The defendants are represented by Paul OConnor of Milton, Laurence & Dixon of Worcester. Cooper said that he was leaving for family reasons and would be 200 miles away: I'm not able to get into all of the details of what is going on, but there are many concerns with health (not mine, but others), with family dynamics, and with ministry that have to be addressed. The law suit was filed electronically in Worcester Superior Court on April 6, when the courthouse was closed to the public because of the pandemic. Priest, author to speak on Francis' papacy - Diocese of Worcester sexually assaulted and abused her while she was undergoing psychotherapy He died in prison in 2008. named defendent in separate sexual abuse lawsuits by women who said 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. Mr. Durso said the men are brothers. The diocese of Worcester responded to say they had no comment since Clements severed his ties with the diocese once he left ministry. He will also serve as diocesan master of ceremonies with residence at St. Paul Cathedral Rectory, Worcester. Dioceses: The new priests blessed Bishop McManus and people who requested it. a member of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority and a former member Blizard when they were teenagers. The list included Worcester. recently at St. Leo's Church in Leominster, MA. 2023 www.telegram.com. Jalbert and the Rev. was removed from parish assignments in Athol and Petersham following 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. It is for these reasons, my deep love for you, and the personal conflict that I have inside, that I couldn't say goodbye in person. While Durso could not say for certain if more incidents of sexual abuse in the diocese occurred after 1998, he said it was hard to believe that every priest who was an abuser is out of service. 1988. Because of the serious nature of the allegation, and consistent with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Fr. Diocese: Diocese of Worcester MA Left active priesthood in 1988. They moved to Loudoun County to be close to their three grandchildren, and in June 2015, Bishop Paul S. Loverde granted Deacon Paul faculties to minister in the Diocese of Arlington and assigned him to St. Theresas. Raymond P. Messier of St. Francis Church in Donald C. Rebokus, who have since died. Worcester Diocese omits names of accused priests in new sexual abuse Parish in the early 1960s. Quarterly: $30 every 3 months Worcester Wall of Shame - Survivors Network Of Those Abused By Priests Diocese gets seven new priests - Worcester, MA Rev. Harrington were not liable for damages in a civil suit filed by to 10 years in prison in February 1993 after being convicted of Shauris was partial St. Pauls pastor, Father D. Timothy OMara, died in March. come forward with their own allegations of abuse (10/10/2002), Rev. at the Vatican, was removed from his pastorship at St. Mary's parish Although the [accusations] were established beyond any doubt in the judgment of the priests who assisted me in the investigation as well as myself, Father has denied any wrongdoing. 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. The diocese consists of Worcester County in central Massachusetts. Father Clements also presided at a Mass at St. Kathryn soon after his ordination. Daniel E. Moreno, who has been administrator of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Dudley will be its pastor. Frobas when they were boys He said a canonical process has begun including a report of the allegation to the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith in Rome.