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With 40 New Names, Springfield Diocese Triples Length Of List Of Sexual Abusers

Interior of St. Michael's Cathedral in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Farragutful
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Creative Commons
Interior of St. Michael's Cathedral in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Updated at 4:09 p.m. 

The Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts, has expanded a list of clergy and lay employees credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor while serving in the diocese. Some of the findings date back decades, as the diocese has expanded its criteria for disclosure.

Springfield Bishop William Byrne said the expanded list does not contain any new allegations. Allegations were determined "credible" with what the diocese said was newly reviewed, independently verified evidence.

The document, with 40 new names, has tripled in length (PDF) and now lists 61 individuals.

"It now includes diocesan clergy, even if they were deceased at the time that the allegation came forward; religious order members; and clergy from other dioceses and lay employees,"  Byrne said Wednesday.

Byrne said adding to and publishing the list of abusers remains central to his commitment to transparency and healing. He made the pledge to expand the list even before he was installed as bishop in December 2020. 

Some dioceses, including Worcester's, do not publish lists of accused clergy. The Diocese of Fall River published its list in January of this year, with an initial 77 names.

The Springfield diocese encourages anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse by clergy or any personnel of the diocese to report the crime directly to law enforcement.

Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this post incorrectly said the bishop made his comments on Tuesday. It should have said Wednesday.

Carrie Healy hosts the local broadcast of "Morning Edition" at NEPM. She also hosts the station’s weekly government and politics segment “Beacon Hill In 5” for broadcast radio and podcast syndication.
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