SPRINGFIELD (MA)
WPRI
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. A Catholic priest who once was chaplain of the Springfield Fire Department was permanently removed from ministry four years ago because of a sexual abuse allegation.
The Springfield Diocese says the Reverend David Farland was removed from the ministry in 2002 after U-S bishops approved a zero tolerance policy regarding clergy sexual abuse of minors. The Diocese said Farland was accused of sexual abuse of a minor in the early 1990s, and the matter was handled internally by his superiors.
The diocese provided the information yesterday after an inquiry by The Republican earlier this week.
Posted by kshaw at March 10, 2006 07:22 AM