Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has released a comprehensive report exposing decades of institutional failures and clergy sexual abuse within the Catholic Dioceses of Fall River, Springfield, and Worcester.
The six-year investigation revealed that more than 270 Catholic clerics abused nearly 1,000 children across the three dioceses. Following the review of over 300,000 pages of records and interviews with more than 100 survivors, clergy, and officials, the report details systemic cover-ups—including transferring accused priests without notice, failing to enforce restrictions, and failing to report allegations to law enforcement.
While acknowledging post-2002 reforms, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) emphasized that internal policies were frequently bypassed. Notably, the Worcester Diocese remains the only diocese in Massachusetts that does not publish a list of credibly accused clergy.
Key Calls to Action:
- Diocesan Reform: Adoption of trauma-informed responses, independent investigations, strict monitoring of restricted priests, and complete public transparency regarding accused clergy.
- Legislative Action: The AGO is urging lawmakers to eliminate the $20,000 charitable immunity cap and the statute of limitations for civil child sexual abuse claims, alongside establishing an indefinite lookback period for past survivors.
While statute-of-limitations restrictions and past laws prevent new retroactive criminal charges in most instances, three cases were referred to local District Attorneys, leading to criminal charges in Worcester District Court.
The Massachusetts Children’s Alliance provides a statewide directory of Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs), where individuals can report child sexual abuse in the county where the abuse occurred and access additional resources and support.
To report child sexual abuse by a member of the clergy or locate the appropriate CAC, please visit the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance’s webpage.
You can read the entire report; the impact statements are heart wrenching: https://www.mass.gov/doc/2026-fall-river-springfield-and-worcester-diocese-report/download
