Mass. AG Releases Report of Abuse in Worcester Diocese

Worcester — A state investigation has revealed that at least 90 clergy members in the Worcester Diocese abused 216 children over more than six decades. The report, released by Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office, also notes that the Worcester Diocese is the only one in Massachusetts that has not publicly released a list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse.

The findings stem from a criminal investigation initiated by former Attorney General Maura Healey in 2019, which examined the Dioceses of Fall River, Springfield, and Worcester. Investigators documented 944 survivors of clergy sexual abuse across the three dioceses, linked to 275 accused clergy. The report acknowledges that the true number may be higher due to chronic underreporting.

Attorney General Andrea Campbell emphasized the long-term harm endured by survivors, stating, “For decades, survivors of clergy sexual abuse, including those who are no longer alive, have carried the devastating consequences of abuse, while the institutions entrusted with their care too often failed to protect them.” She noted that although reforms have been made, the report highlights persistent failures by diocesan leaders in responding to allegations and protecting children.

Campbell’s office stated it cannot pursue criminal charges for the misconduct documented, as most of the abuse occurred before Massachusetts extended statutes of limitations and mandated clergy to report abuse in 2002. Many of the accused are now deceased.

Investigators warned that the full extent of clergy abuse in the three dioceses remains uncertain due to decades of underreporting and poor recordkeeping. The numbers reflect all allegations reviewed, regardless of whether the dioceses deemed them credible.

The Worcester Diocese had 90 accused clergy tied to 216 survivors. The diocese was home to the House of Affirmation, a Whitinsville treatment center for accused priests. One victim reported that the center also served as a site for a child sex ring involving clergy connected to the facility.

The Fall River Diocese had the highest number of survivors, with 92 accused clergy tied to 469 survivors. It was the site of one of the state’s most notorious cases: former priest James Porter, who was ultimately accused of molesting hundreds of children and criminally convicted of abusing more than two dozen.

The Springfield Diocese had 93 accused clergy tied to 259 survivors, the highest number of accused clergy among the three dioceses. Two of its own bishops, Christopher Weldon and Thomas Dupre, were involved in the diocese’s leadership during the period of alleged misconduct.

Source: Read the original report