Springfield Diocese Recruits Fill-Ins For Priest Under Investigation

Updated at 10:57 a.m. on November 29, 2019

The Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, said it's decided to put in place a "temporary pastoral team" to step in for a Northfield pastor who's on leave pending a criminal investigation.

Last Friday, the diocese announced that Father Thomas Lisowski was accused of "inappropriate behavior" with "a vulnerable adult" — and that the priest has asserted his innocence.

Spokesman Mark Dupont said the diocese decided Wednesday to assign a deacon administrator and a priest, to handle sacramental duties, at St. Patrick's. Previously, other priests from the region had been filling in for Lisowski.

"It's certainly an ongoing concern, because we have a number of parishes, and we don't have that many priests who are available to fill in, so it's always a challenge," Dupont said.

Dupont said Bishop Mitchell Rozanski held Mass in Northfield over the weekend and fielded questions from parishioners.

"Obviously, they're concerned about their pastor," he said. "They're concerned about their parish, and how this weighs on their parish."

According to Dupont, the bishop told parishioners to withhold judgement until the allegations are investigated.

Dupont said the church does not plan to officially look into the matter until getting the go-ahead from the district attorney's office, to make sure not to impede the criminal probe.

When asked about Lisowski, the DA's office said it does not confirm or deny whether an investigation is ongoing, unless charges are brought.