October 31, 2003

Bishops didn't OK same-sex benefits

Media misinterpreted Reilly statement

Raymond L. Delisle, spokesman for the Worcester diocese, said the issue of clarifying the speech was being handled by the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, the political lobbying arm of the four Massachusetts bishops. That hierarchy includes Bishop Reilly, Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley of Boston, Bishop Thomas L. Dupre of Springfield and Bishop George Coleman of Fall River.

The bishops said yesterday the media were responsible for misinterpreting Bishop Reilly's testimony.

October 27, 2003

Decades after abuse, church goes on

Former priest Robert Kelley has admitted to molesting 50 to 100 young victims at St Cecilia's in Leominster

Kelley quietly left St. Cecilia's 20 years ago for another church, but his name is a painful memory to some in the parish.

Goguen arrived as associate pastor in 1976, the same year as Kelley and newly appointed pastor George Denomme.

Kelley could speak French, an advantage at a church that still had French-speaking services.

He arrived with a knack for fund-raising after the parish had witnessed a decade of fiscal decline that included a lightning bolt striking the church steeple in 1975.

"The guy was brilliant," said Coleman. "The guy could give a sermon and people would listen. Nobody would deny that. I could listen to him talk all day."

Saturday, October 25, 2003

Salerno says priest doesn't deserve prison

Mr. Salerno contends there is nothing to be gained by returning his client to prison, believing that Rev. Kelley is taking the fall for the sins of the diocese in reassigning pedophile priests, rather than removing them and turning them over to authorities.

``There's no question that he took on the responsibilities of both himself and the failures of the church,'' Mr. Salerno said. ``It was impossible to divorce him from that association.''

Judge Fecteau pulls out of Rev. Kelley's civil case

Friday, October 24, 2003

Oxford man warns diocese on priest

Alleged sexual-touching victim opposes Coonan reinstatement

Nicolas O. Ledu, (NOL on Snap board) who said he refused Rev. Coonan's request to masturbate in front of him during a counseling session in the 1970s, questioned whether Rev. Coonan should "ever serve in any authoritative position, particularly where he will have influence over young teenage boys."

He was among those who filed reports with state police attached to the office of District Attorney John J. Conte.

The debate on Rev. Coonan has been an active topic among people signing onto the discussion board operated by Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests at www.snapnetwork.org. Postings have been made by people who oppose Rev. Coonan being retained in the priesthood as well as by those who support the priest.

October 23, 2003

Accused priest has title -- but no collar

WORCESTER -- In a dark suit, without the collar that once marked him as a priest, the Rev. Donald Ouellette appeared at his second Worcester Superior Court hearing Wednesday to face charges that he stole more than $250,000 from the Immaculate Conception Church in Fitchburg.

On administrative leave from the Worcester Diocese, officials said Ouellette remains pastor of his Fitchburg church in name only.

"It's a title, he still holds the title technically," Worcester Diocese spokesman Raymond Delisle said Wednesday. "But he's been suspended from all activities. He can't even be portraying himself as a priest. ... He shouldn't even be wearing a collar."

Rev. Coonan to fight removal "on canonical grounds'

WORCESTER- The Rev. Joseph A. Coonan, who was removed as pastor of St. John's Church more than a year ago, has been asked by the Diocese of Worcester to resign, but he has refused.

Joseph D. Early Jr., a lawyer who is Rev. Coonan's spokesman, said yesterday the priest has hired a canon lawyer and intends to fight his removal "on canonical grounds."
 

Subpoena allowed in church case

WORCESTER- A judge has granted a prosecutor permission to subpoena prison financial records relating to an inmate who claims he received some of the money a priest is accused of stealing from a Fitchburg parish.

The Rev. Donald C. Ouellette is under indictment for allegedly stealing $250,000 from Immaculate Conception Church in Fitchburg, where he served as pastor before being placed on leave by the Catholic Diocese of Worcester earlier this year. The money, which was raised by parishioners for an elevator at the church, was allegedly stolen by Rev. Ouellette between March 15, 2001, and Jan. 2 of this year.

Wednesday October 22, 2003

Child rapist says priest gave him funds stolen from church

Assistant District Attorney Richard Greco, who is prosecuting Ouellette's 18 counts of larceny, last week filed a motion in Worcester Superior Court requesting the prison financial records of any money deposited to LaMontagne since his incarceration.. ....."I've spoken to him a little bit after Father Don was first indicted," Pingeon said. "He sort of told me a little bit about the circumstances. I advised him to try to get a lawyer."

Worcester Diocese spokesman Raymond Delisle said he also did not know why Ouellette would have been acquainted with LaMontagne.

"There was no official assignment to prison ministry," Delisle said.

Tuesday October 21, 2003

International Candlelight Vigil

People from all walks of life are uniting to express their love, support and compassion for victims of clergy abuse in the first international candlelight vigil.

On October 26, people from all over the world will light a candle in their home or stand together with others who share the same compassion.

This vigil is nondenominational. It is not a protest or a reflection on any specific religion or organization. However, many groups may decide to send their own message at their vigil.

Voice Note: Currently we have participants from the following cities in the Worcester County. Leominster, Fitchburg, Worcester, Shrewsbury, Gardner, Hubbardston, Lunenburg, and Athol

Please e-mail your city and location.  More local information soon to be announced.

Friday October 17, 2003

Inmate says priest gave him stolen funds

WORCESTER- A Rhode Island man serving a state prison sentence for child rape told state police a priest accused of stealing $250,000 from a Fitchburg church gave him some of the money.

According to Mr. Greco's motion, Mr. Lamontagne gave a statement to state police indicating that he "received some of the misappropriated money from Donald Ouellette while he was incarcerated at MCI Concord."

On Dec. 22, 1989, Mr. Lamontagne was sentenced to 12 to 15 years in state prison after being convicted of child rape and indecent assault and battery on a child in Worcester Superior Court, according to court records.

Voice Note: The Worcester diocese first denied knowledge of this situation. When the information on Rev. Donald C. Ouellette broke they informed many people that Rev Ouellette  had a gambling problem and had been taking the bus to Foxwoods.  Many parish members were additionally told Rev Ouellette  was sick and removed for medical reasons. It appears the Worcester Dioceses again has provided FALSE information to the people in the Worcester Dioceses to distract from association with child sexual abuse issues.

Thursday, October 16, 2003

MISSING PHOTOS OF AUXILIARY BISHOP GEORGE RUEGER WHO REMAINS A DEFENDANT IN A CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE CASE IN THE WORCESTER DIOCESES ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN LOCATED.

Monday October 6, 2003

The following letter has been issued to Bishop Daniel P. Reilly to show the recent dissatisfaction with the continued projection of false information in regards to treatment of clergy abuse victims in the Worcester Dioceses. 

Dear Bishop Reilly,

Your false scenario of help for clergy abuse victims again forecast that you still fail to properly comprehend the magnitude of abuse portrayed by the Worcester Diocese Catholic Church upon the most venerable of your flock, those who became prey to pedophile Priest.

Mr. Raymond Delisle comments as spokesperson for the Worcester Dioceses on October 1, 2003 were professionally inappropriate.  Mr. Delisle’s statement that the Rev Robert E. Kelley criminal case “did not involve the diocese” is so disproportionate to reality of facts that we believe his resignation is now compulsory.

Friday October 3, 2003
Reporter's conversations ruled private

Judge says Shaw protected from deposition

"As demonstrated by Shaw's affidavit, the effect of even threatened disclosure has already chilled Shaw's relationship with her sources, who are understandably less confident that Shaw will be able to honor her pledges of confidentiality," Judge McDonald said. "Compelled disclosure would undeniably compromise not only Shaw's, but other reporters' ability to gather and disseminate information about religious matters in and around Worcester."

Lunenburg woman claims abuse by priest

Kelly Kurtz, who filed a suit against the Worcester Diocese in 2002, said her own trials with the twice-convicted child rapist are far from over.

Frustrated because the Diocese has suggested it is not responsible for Kelley's abuse, Kurtz spoke publicly about the priest for the first time in an interview with the Sentinel & Enterprise on Thursday.

Thursday, October 2, 2003

STATEMENT GIVEN BY JOHN MACKEY AFTER SENTENCING IN REGARDS TO THE ATROCIOUS TREATMENT OF HIS FAMILY BY THE WORCESTER DIOCESE CATHOLIC CHURCH

I hate Robert Kelley for what he has done not only to Heather and Diane but to so many other young girls. I despise the Worcester Diocese for their lack of compassion, sensitivity, loyalty, honesty, concern and their total indifference to victims.
This altar was purchased by my mother-in-law Alexina Dionne for Saint Cecelia’s church in Leominster approximately twenty-two years ago for $30,000. The picture was taken by Robert Kelly and presented to my mother-in-law by then Pastor George Denome. My family and I refer to it as the altar of abandonment. A symbol of the Worcester Diocese’ love, dedication and commitment to itself at the expense of others. Their propensity to move silently into the future with little to no regard for the damaged children and families they leave behind.
My wife Barbara and I met with Bishop Harrington three times in the evenings at his Worcester home when Heather was in the eighth grade. Heather met with him there on two of those occasions. Bishop Harrington told us that he believed Heather’s story stating that her story was similar to others he had heard. Bishop Harrington also said that the church was responsible for her and that they would therefore provide psychological counseling. That agreement was sealed with a handshake. A short time later when we retained legal counsel to protect Heather’s interests, the Worcester Diocese reneged on their agreement and notified us that they would not pay for any more counseling sessions.
When Heather’s civil case originally came up, in her teenage years, she was unable to proceed because of her vulnerable state. In Heather’s most recent action Attorney James Gavin Reardon, a lawyer for the diocese, stated that Mackey voluntarily dropped and case. Contrary to Mr. Reardon’s remarks, Heather withdrew her suit with prejudice on the advice of her attorney. She was devastated that she would never have her opportunity to present her case against the Worcester Diocese and hold them accountable for their actions.
The reasons for the withdrawal of the case are twofold:
        1. A statute of limitations that protects the church at the expense of children
        2. The threat that the Worcester Diocese would sue Heather for triple their legal costs if she were not successful in dealing with the statue of limitations’ issue and being victorious.
If this case went to trial, we are confident that she would have prevailed. Unfortunately she will never have the opportunity to hold the Worcester Diocese accountable in a court of law. If you are a victim of sexual abuse in the Worcester Diocese, refrain from making the cardinal sin of victims by going to the Worcester Diocese for help. They are not your friend or advocates as they proclaim. Attain the best legal counsel you can find, preferably an attorney who is familiar with the inner workings of the church and the Worcester Diocese. Please find a counselor who is in no way associated to the Worcester Diocese.
Father Goguen, the present pastor of Saint Cecilia’s church, was recently asked about Kelley and he responded in part with the following: “It is a thing of the past, the church is on the road to healing” My response to his statement is: If only it could be that simple for the victims and their families.
I wasn’t surprised that Father Goguen has never mentioned the victims, nor did anyone else from the Worcester Diocese. The answer is a simple one. They don’t care. The Catholic church mentality has allowed this horrendous behavior by priests to exist. That’s why I am no longer a Catholic.
In retrospect, the criminal case has concluded and Heather has sadly, with great reluctance withdrawn her civil case against the Worcester Diocese. However, this is not the end but a continuation of Heather’s journey. We and others are committed to exposing the Worcester Diocese and the Catholic church for what it is, and we will prove, to be worthy of the challenge.

Judge, victims condemn the Worcester Diocese

McCann said he imposed a five- to seven-year sentence on Kelley with "sadness for the thousands of very good priests who were stained by this ugly blemish; sadness that the church hierarchy could not and was not willing to deal with this extraordinarily difficult issue."

Victim to priest: 'I've seen evil'

Rev. Kelley faces 5 years in prison

VICTIM'S DAD SPEAKS OUT

October 1, 2003

Rev Robert Kelley sentenced to 5-7 yrs prison term.  With 20 years probation to follow his release.  According to Judge John McCann who stated his objective was to place Mr. Kelley behind bars until he was of the age of 65 years old.

Rev Kelley already served a 6 year term within the Massachusetts prison system beginning in 1990 and ending with his release in 1996.

Judge John McCann provided ten recommendations for Rev Kelley to follow which he stated would  be filed with the clerk. 

Rev. Kelley sentenced to 5-7 years for rape