SPRINGFIELD (MA)
Boston.com
December 29, 2004
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- A western Massachusetts priest has been removed from ministry after he was accused of molesting a teenager in the 1970s.
The Rev. Michael H. Devlin, 62, was most recently chaplain at Providence Place in Holyoke. He was suspended in October after his alleged victim told the diocese's Review Board that he was abused. After the panel investigated the person's claims, Bishop Timothy McDonnell decided to permanently suspend Devlin earlier this month.
Laura Failla Reilly, the church's victim advocate, would not give many details of the allegation Wednesday. She said Devlin is accused of molesting a teenager several times while he was preaching at St. Thomas Parish in West Springfield and at All Souls Parish in Springfield.
Reilly said Devlin is currently staying with relatives who live out of state. She said he has denied the allegations against him.