NORWICH (CT)
The Advocate
March 7, 2005
NORWICH, Conn. -- A Roman Catholic priest has been removed from his position as pastor of Sacred Heart Church while church officials investigate sexual abuse allegations against him dating back to the 1970s.
The Rev. R. Thomas McConaghy is accused of molesting a student at the LaSalle Military Academy in Oakdale, N.Y., on Long Island between 1973 and 1975. McConaghy was the academy's commandant at the time, before he became a priest in Norwich in 1981.
The Diocese of Norwich said it learned about the allegations on Feb. 23. The former student reported the alleged abuse to the Rockville Centre diocese and civil authorities in New York.
McConaghy denied the allegations in addresses to Sacred Heart parishioners during Sunday masses. Norwich Bishop Michael R. Cote removed McConaghy from Sacred Heart and St. John Mission Church in Fitchville last week and replaced him with the Rev. John White.