Finding of Credibility of an Allegation of Sexual Abuse of a Minor
This category includes bishops, priests, deacons, other religious and lay employees against whom an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor was made that has been determined to be credible by the Diocese of Springfield Commission on Improper Conduct of Diocesan Personnel (1992-2004) or the Review Board (2004-present) who were incardinated in the Diocese of Springfield, assigned to public ministry in the Diocese of Springfield, and/or employment by a ministry within the Diocese of Springfield.
This category is divided into five subcategories:
(A) Incardinated in the Diocese of Springfield
(B) Deceased Clergy Incardinated in the Diocese of Springfield for Whom Criminal or Canonical Proceedings Were Not Completed
(C) Other Diocese
(D) Religious Order
-
Richard Ahern
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Eugene Adalbert Dranka
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Joseph E. Flood
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John (a/k/a Vernon) Kelly
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John Earl Kelty
-
Jeffrey L’Arche
(E) Lay Employee
For those in sub-categories C and D, respectively, the priest was incardinated in another diocese or was a member of a religious order but exercised public ministry in the Diocese of Springfield.
A. Incardinated in the Diocese of Springfield
[1] Denotes the individual was previously included on the published List of Credibly Accused Clergy Within the Diocese of Springfield.
[2] On May 24, 2021, Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni publically announced the investigation into the 1972 murder of Danny Croteau has been officially closed. On May 21, 2021, District Attorney Gulluni authorized detectives from the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office to obtain an arrest warrant against Lavigne for murder. Lavigne died later that day.
B. Deceased Clergy Incardinated in the Diocese of Springfield for Whom Criminal or Canonical Proceedings Were Not Completed
This section includes the names of deceased clergy accused of sexual abuse of a minor for whom criminal or canonical proceedings were not completed. Allegations were received only after the priest’s death. Because the cleric did not have the opportunity to respond to the allegation, there has been no formal determination of guilt in these cases. Rather, the Diocese has listed these names because the allegation was determined to be credible by the Misconduct Commission or Review Board.
* Denotes the priest was assigned to parish(es) in what is now the ecclesiastical territory of the Diocese of Worcester that are not listed in the present assignment history for the Diocese of Springfield. Pope Pius XII erected the Diocese of Worcester on March 7, 1950, taking its territory from the Diocese of Springfield.
C. Other Diocese
[1] Finding of credibility previously reported on the published List of Credibly Accused Clergy Within the Diocese of Springfield. Available data supports inclusion on the present list.
D. Religious Order
[1] Denotes the allegation was received after the individual was deceased.
[2] The Missionaries of LaSalette commissioned an independent investigation into the allegation against Father Jeffrey L’Arche in 2004 by Praesidium, Inc. Documentation from the Missionaries of LaSalette states the conclusion of the investigation is that the “allegation against Fr. Jeffrey L’Arche appears to be highly questionable.”
E. Lay Employee