Mass. Diocese Abuse Probe

Massachusetts Investigation Reveals Nearly 1,000 Child Abuse Victims Across Three Catholic Dioceses

A Massachusetts attorney general’s investigation found that more than 270 Catholic clerics abused nearly 1,000 children over roughly a century in the dioceses of Fall River, Springfield and Worcester. Launched in 2019, the inquiry reviewed more than 300,000 pages of records and included interviews with more than 100 people. It documented decades of institutional failures, including ignored allegations, transfers of accused priests without adequate disclosure, weak supervision and inconsistent reporting to law enforcement; dioceses also failed to consistently enforce policies adopted after the public exposure of clergy abuse in 2002. The inquiry resulted in no new indictments because the conduct was barred by statutes of limitation, involved deceased individuals or predated criminal-law reforms, but cases were referred to prosecutors and one referral led to charges. Attorney General Andrea Campbell urged stronger protections and survivor support, greater transparency and independent oversight, and changes to state law governing civil claims.

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