The Diocese of Springfield (“Diocese”) has previously published a list of clergy whom a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been made against them while they were living. However, the names of clergy who were deceased when the allegation was reported, the names of priests from religious orders who ministered in the Diocese and lay church staff were not included.
The list published here contains the names of clergy who have engaged in public ministry in the Diocese and have had a finding of credibility of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, including those who were living at the time the allegation was brought forward as well as those who were deceased at the time the allegation was reported to the Diocese. The list also includes the names of laypersons who were employed in a ministry of the Diocese of Springfield and have had a finding of credibly of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor while working for the diocese. Finally, the names of clergy from another diocese, eparchy or religious order who ministered within the Diocese who had a finding of credibly of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor in the Diocese, and the determination was made by their diocese, eparchy or religious order, are also included.
Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor that were determined to be credible by the Misconduct Commission for Diocesan Personnel (1992 – 2004) or the Diocesan Review Board (2004 – present) were included on the list based on the following criteria:
Inclusion Criteria
Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by a bishop, priest, deacon, other religious, or lay employee who is/was incardinated, assigned to public ministry, or employed by the Diocese of Springfield;
The allegation has been determined to be credible by the Misconduct Commission for Diocesan Personnel (1992-2004) or the Review Board (2004-present); and/or
The allegation has been determined to be credible by another diocese, eparchy or religious order and has been verified by the Diocese of Springfield through a primary source.
Exclusion Criteria
Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by a cleric who is/was incardinated, assigned to public ministry, or employed by the Diocese of Springfield that were not assessed by the Misconduct Commission for Diocesan Personnel (1992-2004) or the Review Board (2004-present); and,
Allegations of sexual abuse of a minor who were assessed by the Misconduct Commission for Diocesan Personnel (1993-2004) or Review Board (2004-present) that did not result in a documented finding of credibility; and
Allegations of individuals not associated with and outside the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Springfield.
The Diocesan Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance conducted a systematic review of all cases to assure the same standard for names now being listed was applied. To ensure that the process was rigorous and consistent, an independent review was conducted by Dr. Raina V. Lamade, a forensic psychologist, faculty member, and researcher from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. The published list reflects the findings of the findings of these reviews.
While the Diocese has taken great care in the preparation of this list, we recognize that this information may still be imperfect. Going forward, the names of additional individuals found to have credible findings of sexual abuse of minors will be added to the list, based on new information or a new evaluation by the Diocesan Review Board.
What names are on this list?
The list includes the names of all clergy, members of religious orders, and diocesan personnel with a finding of credibility of sexual abuse of a minor while serving in the Diocese of Springfield as determined by the Diocesan Review Board or its predecessor the Misconduct Commission.
These are not new allegations. In fact the findings in many of these cases date back decades. What is new is that a number of these are now being listed for the first time. Previously findings against clerics who were deceased when the allegation came forward, those against religious order members who ministered within the Diocese of Springfield and diocesan personnel were not publically listed on the diocesan website.
Why is the list being updated?
The list is being updated because the diocese is committed to transparency and healing. The decision to expand the list of all with a finding of credibility was not an easy one. This was because a deceased priest does not possess the opportunity to participate in the review of the allegation. However acknowledging a survivor’s allegation to be credible brings the truth of their horrific experiences into the light. Many dioceses across the country have added the names of deceased priests for that same reason.
What is a credible allegation?
An allegation is determined to be credible if there is reasonable cause to believe that the sexual abuse occurred. It is most similar to a grand jury indictment in our legal system.
What kind of an investigation currently takes place when an allegation is made?
Currently, when an allegation is made, the case is immediately referred to the appropriate District Attorney’s Office in Western Massachusetts as set forth by the Memorandum of Understanding that the diocese entered into in April of 2020.
So as not to interfere in any way, only after civil authorities have completed their review of the allegation does the diocese begin its review. The Diocesan Review Board will then review the allegations and make a recommendation to the bishop. Their finding will be based on the report of the panel of investigators. Each case will be investigated in a trauma-informed way.
Is a priest or deacon still in ministry while the investigation is being conducted?
Once an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor is received, a priest, deacon or diocesan employee is placed on administrative leave while the investigation is being conducted. We take this action to ensure the safety of children. However, the priest, deacon or diocesan employee is presumed innocent until the investigation is complete.
What happens to a member of clergy if an allegation is deemed credible?
No priest or permanent deacon who is found to have a credible allegation of sexual abuse against him shall be allowed to return to any ministry. The bishop reports the allegations to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) in Rome, which will conduct a trial as required by canon law. However, the CDF may authorize an administrative penal process in which the bishop can issue a suggested penalty. If law enforcement decides to prosecute and is found guilty in a criminal proceeding, the individual will serve the sentence rendered by the court.
What Church penalty can be imposed for a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor?
Under no circumstances will an offender be allowed to celebrate Mass publicly, wear clerical garb, or present himself publicly as a priest or permanent deacon. The Diocese of Springfield may pursue all available courses of action permitted by the Code of Canon Law.
What does dismissal from the clerical state mean for the priest or deacon?
It means the legal status of the priest or deacon changes. He now has the status of a lay person, not a cleric. He also has other restrictions placed on him that might not apply to other lay persons. So, for instance, a priest dismissed from the clerical state may no longer exercise priestly ministry, including saying Mass, present himself as a priest, use the title “Father” or “Reverend”, hold pastoral and teaching positions in the Church.
How is the reputation of a priest restored if the allegations of sexual abuse of a minor are not found to be credible?
If the name of a cleric, religious or lay employee becomes public during the investigation period and the allegations are subsequently found to be not credible, the Diocese of Springfield will publicly disclose that finding and will work closely with that individual and take any other appropriate actions.
What support is available to a person who as a minor was sexually abused by a representative of the diocese?
Assistance is available through the Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance, led by a lay social worker and psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner. Contact via [email protected] or 800-842-9055.
This glossary is provided to help readers understand Church language used throughout the report.
Assigned to a Life of Prayer and Penance
Imposing a life of prayer and penance is a penalty used to punish clergy for crimes and misconduct. A priest who has been assigned to a life of prayer and penance is not permitted to celebrate Mass publicly or to administer the sacraments. He is instructed not to wear clerical garb or to present himself publicly as a priest. This penalty is used typically when the cleric is elderly or in severely compromised health.
Canon Law
The term used to describe the law of the Catholic Church.
Clerical State
The clerical state refers to those who have been ordained as a bishop, priest or deacon and their status as a member of the clergy. If a man loses the clerical state he is no longer a member of the clergy (see Dismissal from the Clerical State; Dispensation from the Clerical State). He always remains a deacon, priest or bishop, however.
Credible Allegation
An allegation is determined to be credible if it is not manifestly false and there is reasonable cause to believe that the sexual abuse occurred.
Dismissal from the Clerical State – or – Laicization (involuntary)
Dismissal from the clerical state means a bishop, priest or deacon has involuntarily lost all rights and obligations associated with ordination. Dismissal occurs after a canonical trial and is a penalty for committing some canonical crime. Dismissal from the clerical state is commonly referred to as “laicization” as it is the process of returning a man to the lay state.
Dispensation from the Clerical State – or – Laicization (voluntary)
A voluntary return to the lay state, commonly referred to as “laicization.” A “dispensation from the clerical state,” is granted by the pope when it is requested by the cleric. This is not a penalty but rather the desire of the cleric to relinquish the rights and obligations associated with the priesthood.
Incardination
The process of a bishop or other superior formally accepting a priest into a Diocese or Religious Order. When a priest is incardinated, he is accountable to the bishop or other superior of a religious order. Incardination takes place automatically when a man enters the clerical state which occurs when he is ordained a deacon. Incardination of a cleric may change by mutual agreement between his superiors and the cleric himself.
Misconduct Commission for Diocesan Personnel
Established in 1992 by the Bishop of Springfield, the Misconduct Commission for Diocesan Personnel (“Misconduct Commission”) was a group of nine (9) laypersons who received and investigated all complaints of improper conduct by priests, deacons and diocesan personnel relating to sexual misconduct. The Misconduct Commission was succeeded by the Review Board after the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (2002) was established.
Removal of Faculties/Restriction of Faculties
Faculties are a cleric’s authorization to celebrate the sacraments and act on behalf of the Church. A bishop can restrict or revoke a priest’s or deacon’s faculties to minister in the Church. A cleric who has no faculties cannot carry out any liturgical, sacramental or administrative action on behalf of the Church. A cleric can also have restricted faculties, which strictly limits his ministry to a certain place or in a particular instance. Depending on the situation, some priests whose faculties have been restricted may be able to dress in clerical garb and identify themselves as priests.
Removed from Public Ministry
The term “removed from public ministry” is not found in canon law. The Diocese of Springfield adopted it in the 1990s for the status of a priests or deacon who has been prohibited from exercising ministry due to an allegation of misconduct. It is used for a priest or deacon who has been removed from his assignment and specifies that he is accorded his canonical rights while a canonical crime is investigated.
Review Board
Established in 2002 under the Essential Norms, the Review Board assists the Bishop and the Diocese is determining and responding to allegations of sexual abuse of a minor.
Sexual Abuse of a Minor
Any interaction between an adult and a child (under the age of 18) in which the child is used for sexual pleasure, stimulation, or sexual gratification of the perpetrator or observer. Sexual abuse can include both touching and non-touching behavior. This includes the manufacture, distribution and viewing of child pornography.