SPRINGFIELD (MA)
New England Public Radio
May 6, 2020
By Adam Frenier
The Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese and three western Massachusetts prosecutors have reached a deal on how the church will report sexual abuse allegations.
Under the memorandum of understanding, the diocese has to turn over information about sexual abuse claims it receives to the appropriate district attorney’s office. The church also will suspend its own investigation for three months, or longer if a criminal probe is taking place.
The deal comes after Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said last year the diocese was failing to refer all cases to prosecutors. Gulluni said this latest agreement should clear up those concerns.
“We’re happy with this, that this will be in place going forward, to make sure that if any of those allegations come forward to the diocese, that they’re given to law enforcement [and] law enforcement has the appropriate opportunity to investigate cases,” Gulluni said.
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