Holy Cross Chaplain Rev. Gregory Lynch Accused of Adult Sexual Misconduct

By John F. Hill
MassLive
February 10, 2014

http://www.masslive.com/news/worcester/index.ssf/2014/02/holy_cross_chaplain_rev_gregor.html

A chaplain at the College of the Holy Cross has been placed on leave after being accused of "adult sexual misconduct."

Rev. Gregory Lynch has been removed from “from his assignment at Holy Cross, pending the outcome of this matter,” the college said in a statement.

The college said the alleged incident did not involve a Holy Cross student and it did not occur on campus.

In an email sent Jan. 29 to students and other members of campus, college President Rev. Phillip L. Boroughs said the school was not aware of any other allegations against the chaplain.

Lynch is an assistant chaplain at Holy Cross and Director of Service and Social Justice Programs. He has been at the college since 2008.

Holy Cross sent a statement Monday in response to questions about a story in the Holy Cross student newspaper, The Crusader, which first reported the allegations.

"The Society’s decision does not represent a determination of Fr. Lynch’s guilt or innocence. We are praying for all those involved," Holy Cross's director of public affairs, Ellen Ryder, said in the statement.

Below is the email sent to the Holy Cross community on Jan. 29.

TO: Campus Community FR: Philip L. Boroughs, S.J. It is with sadness that I inform you Holy Cross has learned that a complaint has been issued involving an allegation of adult sexual misconduct by Rev. Gregory Lynch, S.J., who has served as assistant chaplain at the College since 2008. The alleged incident did not occur on the Holy Cross campus and did not involve a Holy Cross student. The College is not aware of any other allegation of misconduct involving Fr. Lynch. The Society of Jesus of New England has removed Fr. Lynch from his public ministry and his assignment at Holy Cross, pending the outcome of this matter. It is important to note that this move does not represent a determination of Fr. Lynch's guilt or innocence. During this time, Fr. Lynch’s work and responsibilities on campus will be assumed by other members of the Chaplain’s staff. We ask members of the Campus Community to remember those involved in their prayers.