Massachusetts report: over 270 clerics abused nearly 1,000 children in three dioceses
A Massachusetts attorney general report released on 30 September says more than 270 Catholic clerics sexually abused nearly 1,000 children in the Fall River, Springfield and Worcester dioceses. Most abuse predates 2002, and few prosecutions followed.
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The story, neutrally told
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell released an investigative report on Wednesday 30 September finding that more than 270 Catholic clerics sexually abused nearly 1,000 children. The Straits TimesRC “More than 270 Catholic clerics sexually abused nearly 1,000 children across three Massachusetts dioceses over decades” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Hindustan TimesN “More than 270 Catholic clerics sexually abused nearly 1,000 children across three Massachusetts dioceses over decades” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The dioceses covered are Fall River, Springfield and Worcester, and Campbell called the report the first full public accounting of the abuse and institutional failures over more than half a century. The Straits TimesRC “the first full public accounting of the abuse and institutional failures” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Campbell said the dioceses knew children were being abused and "too often they protected the reputation of the church rather than protecting children". The Straits TimesRC “"too often they protected the reputation of the church rather than protecting children," she said” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Hindustan TimesN “"Too often they protected the reputation of the church rather than protecting children," Campbell said.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗
Most of the abuse occurred before 2002, when a Boston Globe report on the Archdiocese of Boston brought the scandal to international attention. Hindustan TimesN “Most of the abuse detailed in the report occurred before 2002” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The Straits TimesRC “The majority of the abuse occurred before 2002.” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Then-Attorney General Maura Healey, now governor, began a criminal probe of the three dioceses in 2019. The Straits TimesRC “In 2019, then-Attorney General Maura Healey, now Massachusetts' governor, launched a criminal probe” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Campbell said her office made three referrals to local district attorneys, leading to charges in one Worcester case, and pursued no prosecutions because some conduct was not illegal at the time or the statute of limitations had expired. The Straits TimesRC “Her office did not pursue any prosecutions due to some conduct not being illegal at the time it occurred or because the statute of limitations had expired, she said.” Read at The Straits Times ↗
The Diocese of Worcester said it would study the report for further improvements, and Fall River Bishop Edgar da Cunha apologised to survivors. Hindustan TimesN “Fall River Bishop Edgar da Cunha issued an apology to survivors of child sexual abuse” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The Straits TimesRC “The other two did not respond immediately to requests for comment.” Read at The Straits Times ↗ Campbell called for church reforms and new state laws, including ending the statute of limitations for civil claims over childhood sexual abuse. Hindustan TimesN “including eliminating the statute of limitations for civil claims involving childhood sexual abuse” Read at Hindustan Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Reuters wire copy carried by Hindustan Times, leading with the report's findings and Campbell's criticism of the dioceses.
- Emphasis
- Includes Bishop da Cunha's apology and the Spotlight film context.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not note that other dioceses did not respond to comment requests.
- For example
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“Fall River Bishop Edgar da Cunha issued an apology to survivors of child sexual abuse” — Hindustan Times
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Reuters wire copy carried by The Straits Times, with the same findings and Campbell's quotes.
- Emphasis
- Notes that Springfield and Fall River did not immediately respond to comment requests.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Omits Bishop da Cunha's apology and the Spotlight reference.
- For example
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“The other two did not respond immediately to requests for comment.” — The Straits Times
What every side reports
- More than 270 clerics abused nearly 1,000 children across the Fall River, Springfield and Worcester dioceses.
- The report was released by Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell on 30 September.
- Most abuse occurred before 2002.
- Charges followed in one Worcester case; no other prosecutions were pursued.
Catholic Church in the United States organisation
The Worcester diocese said it would study the report; Fall River's bishop apologised. Springfield had not responded.
“filled with sorrow over the historical account of incidents and practices reflecting the tragic failings to protect our most vulnerable” — Hindustan Times
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Hindustan TimesN · · via Reuters
More than 270 priests in Massachusetts abused children over decades, state probe finds
Neutral Reuters wire copy (Nate Raymond) reporting the findings, with an added apology from the Fall River bishop.
Right1 article
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The Straits TimesRC · · via Reuters
More than 270 priests in Massachusetts abused children over decades, probe finds
Neutral Reuters wire copy reporting the findings, Campbell's statements and the Worcester response.
- 30 Sep 17:37 First The Straits TimesRC More than 270 priests in Massachusetts abused children over decades, probe finds via Reuters
- 30 Sep 21:48 +4h 10m Hindustan TimesN More than 270 priests in Massachusetts abused children over decades, state probe finds via Reuters
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.