June 2, 2021

Bishop Byrne announces additions to list of credibly accused abusers

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Rebecca Drake

 

SPRINGFIELD – With significant additions to the online list of credibly accused individuals, the Springfield Diocese took another step on the arduous path toward transparency and healing regarding the long history of clergy sexual abuse in western Massachusetts.

During a 10 a.m. press conference on June 2, Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne announced that the names of clergy who were deceased at the time of abuse allegations, along with religious order members, clergy from other dioceses, and lay employees now appear on the list of those credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult. Joining Bishop Byrne in the Bishop Marshall Center adjacent to St. Michael’s Cathedral were Jeffrey Trant, director of the diocese’s Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance; and Douglas Cole, a resident of Shelburne Falls and survivor of clergy sexual abuse.

“Today we’ll take another important and somber step forward with the release of an expanded online diocesan listing of all those with findings of credibility as determined by the Misconduct Commission which operated between 1992 and 2004, and the Review Board which has operated since 2004,” Bishop Bryne said. “You will now find 61 names listed at diospringfield.org, up from the 21 we had previously listed.”

“Let me be clear. These are not new allegations. Most date back decades,” Bishop Byrne said. “They are newly listed names. I offer my most sincere apology to the victims of these crimes – not only for the crimes themselves, but for the failures of this diocese in handling the courageous victims who came forward to report they had been abused.

“Acknowledging a survivor’s allegations to be credible brings the truth of their horrific experiences into the light,” the bishop continued. “This expanded disclosure of names is necessary to fulfilling my commitment of transparency and healing. It is my hope that anyone who has experienced the crime of sexual abuse will come forward and report the abuse to law enforcement – no matter when it occurred.”

Speaking to the media gathered, Trant emphasized the challenges abuse survivors face and the difficulties of disclosing their abuse. “Research shows that many children do not disclose sexual abuse immediately after it occurs. Many children do not disclose their abuse for years, if at all, and factors such as gender and age at the time of abuse influence the disclosure process,” he said. “In fact, many adult survivors of child sexual abuse have never disclosed their abuse to anyone.”

Trant noted that survivors struggle with fear, shame and self-doubt, and often suffer with severe mental health and other health issues. But, he said, “Disclosure is a critical step for seeking help and accessing services.

“For that very reason, publishing information about credibly accused clerics and diocesan personnel provides survivors with information that may help with their healing process and let others who are privately coping with their abuse know that they are not alone,” said Trant.

Trant then explained the specific processes used to compile the updated list of names. The complete report can be read at Credibly-Accused-of-Sexual-Abuse-of-a-Minor_RCBS-06.02.2021-1.pdf (diospringfield.org).

Concluding his statement to the media, Trant said, “The diocese has taken great care in the preparation of this list. However, we recognize that this information may still be imperfect. If any survivor believes that an individual is missing from the list, we are fully committed to providing every person with the opportunity to participate in the review process.

“This begins with reporting an allegation to the district attorney for the jurisdiction where the abuse is reported to have occurred, followed by the diocesan review after law enforcement has completed their review,” he explained. “We will then update the list to reflect new determinations of credibility and the list will truly be a living document.”

Also addressing media during the June 2 press conference was a local clergy abuse survivor, Douglas Cole. He stated that he was abused by his parish priest more than 40 years ago.

“The most important reason I come forward is to give survivors, like myself, the encouragement to help them heal,” Cole said. “As you can imagine, this journey has not been an easy one. Anyone who has endured any time of abuse has the right to be heard, so they can start their own healing process.”

Cole first revealed his abuse to a therapist and to his present parish priest in 2018. He then went to the diocese where, he said, “there were many errors and I felt like I was being re-victimized once again.” But, he noted, “Many changes have taken place since I came forth.”

Cole said he is saddened to see how many names have been added to the credibly accused clergy list, “But it also gives me hope in the healing process. I am not a spokesman for the diocese. I am using my faith and the Holy Spirit to help fellow survivors with the support of the diocese.”

Cole said he is blessed to have his faith and offered this message directly to other survivors: “Again, please reach out and tell your story. You are not alone. I once called myself a victim. But I am a survivor.”

Struggling with tears, Cole continued, “I am in great hopes that this speech reaches one person and gives them the support, the hope and love to begin their process.”

Both Bishop Byrne and Trant encouraged any victims of sexual abuse by a representative of the church to first contact law enforcement and to report their abuse to the diocese by calling 800-842-9055 or sending an email to reportabuse@diospringfield.org.

The press conference can be viewed in its entirety at https://youtu.be/0aTnvsPPJ7g.