FALL RIVER The sheer number of names on the Diocese of Fall River’s list of clergy credibly or publicly accused of sexual abuse of a minor is shocking on its own, but the list provided little information about when and where the abuse occurred, how many victims there were, and who knew about it.
Additionally although the lists contain 75 names, an attorney for victims of sexual abuse believes it is incomplete.
“I think it s incumbent on the Diocese of Fall River to practice complete accountability and transparency and list church employees such as custodians, lectors, and deacons in addition to religious priests, seminarians, and diocesan priests [in its credibly accused list],” Mitchell Garabedian said.
Chloe Shelford Jan 9, 2021
Five priests who served at St. Patrick’s Church in Wareham have been accused of sexual abuse, according to a list of 75 accused clergy published on Jan. 7 by the diocese of Fall River.
It is unclear when or for how long these priests worked in Wareham, and the diocese of Fall River declined Wareham Week’s request for that information. Many served at more than eight churches over their careers.
St. Patrick’s declined to comment for this story.
Several of the priests are facing criminal charges:
Mark Hession has been charged with two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and battery on a child less than 14, and one count of intimidation of a witness.