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	Defrocked Priest Denied Pension By Bill Zajac The Republican June 29, 2006 http://www.masslive.com/metrowest/republican/index.ssf? /base/news-4/1151567639245510.xml&coll=1 Springfield — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield has decided it will not provide any pension benefits to a recently defrocked priest who was accused of sexually abusing minors. The decision not to pay pension benefits to Richard F. Meehan does not represent a policy that will be applied to all priests who face defrocking because of accusations of sexual abuse of minors, according to Mark E. Dupont, a spokesman for the diocese. "We reserve the right to review each case as each comes to some sort of clarity or finality," Dupont said. The diocese has initiated a process that could lead the Vatican to defrock at least six other diocesan priests who have been accused of sexually abusing minors. In each case, the diocese's Review Board or its predecessor, the Misconduct Commission, found allegations of sexual abuse to be credible against each of the six as it did with Meehan, who was defrocked earlier this month. "In each case, the circumstances differ as well as the priests' ages," said Dupont. Other priests who could be defrocked are the Revs. David Farland, Alfred Graves, Edward M. Kennedy, John A. Koonz, Francis P. Lavelle and Ronald Wamsher. When the diocese announced Meehan's defrocking on June 8, it said his monthly stipend of about $1,000 would end and that a decision would be made regarding potential benefits. Priests become eligible for pension benefits at age 70 unless forced into retirement by health issues. Meehan is 64. The diocese's decision to exclude Meehan from pension benefits was lauded by John M. Bowen of Longmeadow, head of Voice of the Faithful's chapter in East Longmeadow. "We commend the diocese for this. I think that it is the correct thing to do. They should do the same with the other names that have been sent to Vatican when their turn comes up," Bowen said. Bowen said he hopes similar action is taken against current bishop emeritus the Most Rev. Thomas L. Dupre, who fled his position as sitting bishop in 2004 when confronted by The Republican with allegations of sexually abusing two minors several decades earlier. He was later indicted on rape charges but not prosecuted because of the statute of limitations. "It would be wise for the diocese to be more forthcoming about his situation instead of passing the buck to the Vatican," Bowen said. Diocesan officials have repeatedly refused to comment, including this week, on any issues regarding Dupre, including his whereabouts. The diocese has initiated no action against Dupre, citing the "Dallas norms," the policy U.S. bishops created in 2002 to protect children from abusive clerics and to punish those credibly accused. The policy doesn't hold bishops accountable for their behavior. It would require the Vatican's initiating action against a bishop.
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