Massachusetts Probe Finds Nearly 1,000 Children Abused Across Three Catholic Dioceses

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell released a sweeping state investigation on September 30, 2026, detailing decades of child sexual abuse within three Catholic dioceses.

The seven-year inquiry covered the Dioceses of Fall River, Springfield, and Worcester. Investigators reviewed approximately 300,000 pages of records and interviewed more than 100 individuals. The report identified more than 270 clergy members who abused nearly 1,000 children, with most incidents occurring before 2002.

The investigation found that diocesan officials repeatedly knew about abuse allegations but failed to act. Instead, they moved accused priests to different parishes and did not report allegations to law enforcement. The Fall River Diocese referred to priests removed from duty as being on "sick leave" well into the 1990s. Officials used terms like "misplaced affection" to describe the abuse.

Criminal prosecutions were largely blocked by expired statutes of limitations. Three cases were referred to district attorneys, resulting in one criminal charge.

The three dioceses responded differently. Fall River Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha expressed sorrow and said the diocese cooperated by providing more than 80,000 pages of documents. Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne called the report humbling and said the diocese has adopted new trauma-informed policies. Worcester said it would study the report but remains the only Massachusetts diocese that does not publish a public list of credibly accused priests.

Campbell, who disclosed during the press conference that she is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, is pushing for legislation to eliminate the statute of limitations for civil claims related to childhood sexual abuse and to remove the state's $20,000 charitable immunity cap.