SPRINGFIELD (MA)
Berkshire Eagle
SPRINGFIELD -- A Western Massachusetts priest who once served in Williamstown has been removed from the 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 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 affiliated with St. Thomas' Parish in West Springfield and at All Souls' Parish in Springfield.
Devlin became the pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Williamstown in 1985. The Southworth Street church had 1,000 members at the time. He succeeded the Rev. Alfred C. Graves.