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	Priest Put on Leave during Probe By Jeanette Deforge The Republican June 14, 2010 http://www.masslive.com/springfield/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-29/1276500028204880.xml&coll=1 MONTAGUE - A priest who has served the same parish for more than 25 years has been placed on leave while church officials investigate a complaint that he violated the diocesan code of conduct. The Rev. Charles J. DiMascola, pastor of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Turners Falls, was placed on leave late last week. Parish members were told of the complaint during weekend services. "The (Roman Catholic) Diocese of Springfield has received a complaint alleging violations of diocesan policies and our Code of Conduct," spokesman Mark E. Dupont said. "It should be noted the complaint does not allege sexual actions." The Code of Conduct is a three-page form that all clergy, staff and volunteers are required to sign. It outlines proper behavior when working with children and counseling adults. Included in the code is a call for all employees to avoid being alone with children, smoking or drinking in front of youth and giving children gifts without parental approval. It also requires employees to report suspected abuse. By signing the code, clergy and staff agree they will not touch any child inappropriately, provide drugs or alcohol to minors, possess a firearm while with children, strike or slap a child or verbally abuse a child and swear near a child. "What we have told the people in the parish is they (the complaint) involves certain boundary issues," Dupont said. He would not release specifics about the complaint. It is being investigated by Kevin Murphy, a former detective in the Massachusetts State Police, who has conducted private inquiries for the diocese in the past. "This is not to be misconstrued as a determination of the merits of the complaint, rather that this matter requires a more comprehensive review," Dupont said. DiMascola, who has been the parish priest for about 25 years, will leave the rectory and move into a family home so the investigation can be conducted freely, he said. When the announcement was read, parishioners reacted with shock. "He is well-regarded in his community. He is generally liked. Many people have come to worship there and he is a key factor in that," Dupont said. Joyce A. Phillips, a parish council member at Our Lady of Czestochowa, said the church has grown from about 300 mostly older members when she joined 23 years ago to about 1,200 people, including many young families. She credited the growth to DiMascola. "People went white with shock," she said. "People expressed great sadness, they feel helpless, they feel devastated, they feel crushed." Phillips said she joined the parish when she was going through a difficult time in her life and needed more from her religion. She attended Our Lady of Czestochowa with a friend and said she began to appreciate God more. "He is a good parish leader because he is a good person," she said. "He has done so much for my faith and my understanding of what my God brings to me." Phillips said she does not believe DiMascola would do anything to betray the parish. "I have no doubt in him at all. The parish is behind him," she said. Parish members were told the Rev. John Roach, a retired priest, will serve as the church administrator and others will assist, she said. Contact: jdeforge@repub.com
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