Press Release
Press Release
Investigation Found More Than 270 Catholic Clerics Abused Nearly 1,000 Children; Report Details Institutional Failures and Calls for Reforms to Protect Children and Support Survivors
For immediate release:
9/30/2026
Media Contact
Molly McGlynn, Communications Director
Phone
Call Molly McGlynn, Communications Director at617-727-2543
Online
Email Molly McGlynn, Communications Director atMolly.McGlynn@mass.gov
BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today released a comprehensive report detailing the findings of the Attorney General’s Office’s (AGO) investigation into child sexual abuse in the Catholic Dioceses of Fall River, Springfield and Worcester. While previous investigations and public reporting had exposed institutional failures in the Archdiocese of Boston that allowed widespread abuse, this is the first comparable public accounting of the institutional failures within the Fall River, Springfield and Worcester dioceses.
The investigation found evidence that more than 270 Catholic clerics abused nearly 1,000 children across the three dioceses. Since the investigation began in 2019, the AGO reviewed more than 300,000 pages of records and interviewed more than 100 individuals, including survivors, advocates, attorneys, clergy, diocesan officials and employees.
The report documents decades of failures by diocesan leaders to adequately respond to allegations of child sexual abuse and protect children from further harm. The investigation found instances in which diocesan leaders failed to act on allegations and warning signs; transferred accused and offending priests to other parishes without disclosing the reasons for their transfers; returned priests to ministry following treatment without adequate supervision; failed to meaningfully enforce restrictions; concealed the reasons priests were removed from ministry; and failed to consistently report allegations to law enforcement.







