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Former Chicopee priest accused of sexual misconduct
By Barry Kriger
WWLP
May 21, 2014
http://wwlp.com/2014/05/21/former-chicopee-priest-accused-of-sexual-misconduct/
[with video]
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A priest who had served in two Chicopee parishes has been suspended by a Pennsylvania Diocese because of unspecified sexual allegations dating back three decades.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield issued a News Release Wednesday saying, “The Diocese has learned … of the removal from active ministry this past weekend by the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, PA of Conventual Franciscan friar, Rev. Michael Lewandowski. That diocese undertook this action because of Fr. Lewandowski’s suspension by the Conventual Franciscans of Our Lady of the Angels Province in Ellicott City, Maryland resulting from an allegation of sexual misconduct dating back to the 1980’s elsewhere.”
The Springfield Diocese News Release goes on to say that Fr. Lewandowski was assigned to both St. Stanislaus Basilica and St. Anthony of Padua parishes in Chicopee during the 1990’s.
Diocese spokesman Mark Dupont wrote, “No complaints against this priest have been forthcoming from his time in western Massachusetts.”
The News Release added that Bishop Timothey McDonnell has directed that this notice be read and provided in print version to parishioners in both Chicopee parishes.
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