SPRINGFIELD (MA)
The Berkshire Eagle [Pittsfield MA]
November 26, 2024
Officials with the Diocese of Springfield announced Tuesday that a deceased priest has been added to a list of credibly accused clergy named in sexual abuse of minors, while two others also had additional incidents added to their files.
While two of the three spent time in Berkshire County churches, none of the reports alleged abuse during their local tenure.
The late Rev. Ronald Lussier was added to the list based on findings by a diocesan Review Board, the diocese said in a statement. The board also noted an additional credibility finding of abuse against the late Rev. John Koonz and three more findings against the late Franciscan Rev. Placid Kaczorek.
Koonz, who served in parishes in Dalton, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge, and Kaczorek already had been published on the diocese’s list of credibly accused.
Lussier was ordained in 1952 and died in 2002, the diocese said in a statement.
Koonz, who served in parishes in Dalton, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge, and Kaczorek already had been published on the diocese’s list of credibly accused.
Lussier was ordained in 1952 and died in 2002, the diocese said in a statement.
He served at Notre Dame Church in Adams and Notre Dame Church in Pittsfield from 1968 to 1975; his alleged acts of sexual abuse of a minor date back to 1975 to 1978, the diocese said.
He also served the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield as parochial vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas in Springfield from 1952 to 1966, and at St. Rose de Lima Church in Aldenville from 1966 to 1968.
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He was named pastor of St. George Church in 1975, where he served until his death. The credible allegations against Lussier occurred from 1975 to 1978 when he was in his late 40s and working for St. George Church.
In 2002, the year he died, Lussier was honored at a ceremony marking his 50 years in the priesthood.
A homily offered by Monsignor Leo A. Leclercin at Lussier’s anniversary Mass that year was captured in a column in The Republican. The homily spoke of “a faithful, gentle priest, with a humble, unassuming easygoing manner, a man who tries not to hurt anyone, a man of joy, a fun person who has never lost the best aspects of being young.”
The diocese noted that its determination regarding Lussier does not constitute a finding of criminal guilt.
“Nonetheless, the Review Board carefully reviewed this allegation, including a report issued by the diocesan investigative team, and found this allegation to be credible,” the diocese said.
Koonz served at Farren Memorial Hospital, Montague City, in 1963; Christ the King Parish, Ludlow, from 1963 to 1964; Our Lady of Hope Parish, Springfield, from 1964 to 1969; St. John Parish, Millers Falls, from 1969 to 1973; Holy Name Parish, Springfield, from 1973 to 1978; St. Agnes Parish, Dalton, from 1978 to 2002; St. Joseph Mission, Stockbridge, and St. Patrick Parish, West Stockbridge, from 1995 to 2002. He died in 2013.
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In September 2002, three men alleged that Koonz sexually assaulted them when they were teens. Their accounts were found to be credible by the diocese’s internal review panel. In 2003, a man filed a civil lawsuit alleging that Koonz and the Rev. Edward Kennedy abused him when he was a minor.
Three people who said Koonz abused them were among 45 people who collectively received $7.5 million from the diocese in July 2004, based on allegations against 18 priests, according to The Republican’s news archive. Koonz was removed from the priesthood in 2002.
Kaczorek served at Saint Hyacinth College and Seminary, Granby, from 1970 to 1988; St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Chicopee, from 1988 to 1990; and St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Basilica, Chicopee, from 1991 to 2001. He died in 2016.
Anyone who has information on sexual misconduct by Catholic priests should report it to the police and the diocese’s Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance at 413-452-0624, 800-842-9055 or reportabuse@diospringfield.org.
He was named pastor of St. George Church in 1975,