December 10, 2020

Bishop-elect William Byrne directs process to expand names with credible allegations of sexual abuse

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – As Springfield Bishop-elect William Byrne prepares for his ordination and installation Monday, Dec. 14, he said regular communication and transparency are two of his top priorities.

With these principles in mind, he has directed that a process be undertaken which will result in the diocese releasing an updated list of credibly accused clergy in early 2021. The current list, which is published on diospringfield.org, does not include the names of diocesan clergy with credible allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct brought forward after they had died. That criteria will be expanded.

“We have important work being done through our Independent Task Force on the Response to Sexual Abuse within the Diocese of Springfield working with this crisis and making sure we work toward better communication and transparency. I’m fully committed to that because we can never truly heal unless we really create an open process,” said Bishop-elect Byrne.

The Independent Task Force on the Response to Sexual Abuse within the Diocese of Springfield has been charged with providing recommendations to improve how the diocese responds, investigates, and handles allegations of sexual abuse. The task force also will focus on identifying actions and resources needed to promote healing of survivors and the faith community.

“The Task Force conducted an online survey in October to solicit input from the public. Respondents also consistently asked for better communication and transparency,”said Jeffrey Trant, director of the Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance. “When Bishop Byrne was made aware that the diocese had published a ‘List of Credibly Accused Clergy Within the Diocese of Springfield’ that is posted on diospringfield.org but that it only included the names of diocesan priests or deacons with credible allegations of sexual abuse of a child that were made against the cleric while they were living, he decided to expand these criteria to include posthumous credible allegations of child sexual abuse of a child/minor that have previously been determined by the diocese to be credible that were not originally included.” 

“Publishing the names of all credibly accused clerics provides survivors with information that may help with their healing process,” Trant said. “Therefore, at the direction of Bishop-elect Byrne, the Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance will be working on an updated list with the names of all diocesan and religious order clerics, including those who were credibly accused while they were living or those credibly accused after they were deceased, as determined by the diocesan Review Board or, previously, the Misconduct Commission.” 

Prior to publication of the list, the diocese is contacting survivors to notify them in advance of the release in early 2021.

“I look forward to working with the task force to make sure that we make our diocese a place that is a real beacon on a hill, where we will build a trusting, caring relationship with our community. And to that end, I believe strongly that we need to reestablish our own experience, trust, and dialogue with those who have been disaffected,” said Bishop-elect Byrne.