From the Diocese of Fall River
FALL RIVER — The Diocese of Fall River has announced today the addition of the names of two priests to its list of “Credibly Accused” clergy posted on the Diocesan website and of one religious order priest to its list of “Publicly Accused” clergy.
The priests added to the “Credibly Accused” list are Father John A. Gomes, a retired priest of the Diocese, and Father Michael Kuhn who, while a priest incardinated in the Diocese of Fall River, is a member of the Virginia-based Youth Apostles Institute. As such, he has ministered outside the Diocese of Fall River since 2004.
The addition of their names to the list follows determinations of credibility in separate, unrelated allegations of violations of the Diocese’s policies for the protection of minors made against each priest.
The case of Father Gomes involves an incident of alleged sexual abuse of a minor that took place decades ago. A recent review of Diocesan files from that period prompted the Diocese to further investigate the allegation and the Diocese was able to obtain a positive identification.
The case of Father Kuhn involves incidents of alleged verbal communications of an explicit sexual nature with minors. Father Kuhn denies these allegations.
Before making any determination in these cases, the Diocese followed its protocols including:
- suspending both priests from ministry;
- notifying civil authorities;
- conducting its own investigations; and
- bringing the cases to the Ministerial Review Board.
The Ministerial Review Board serves as an independent and consultative body to advise the bishop on alleged misconduct by clergy.
After reviewing all of the facts and receiving the recommendations of the Ministerial Review Board in each case, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., determined that the allegations are credible and informed the priests that they would not be returning to ministry. The restrictions which continue include prohibition from exercising any public ministry including the celebration of public Mass or of other sacraments. They also may not provide spiritual direction, wear clerical attire, or present themselves as priests.
The Diocese has informed leadership of the Youth Apostles Institute of the determination in Father Kuhn’s case to continue his restriction from priestly ministry. The Diocese has also informed the dioceses where Father Kuhn has ministered, where he is likewise prohibited from exercising priestly ministry.
Assignment histories for Fathers Gomes and Kuhn are provided within the list of “Credibly Accused” clergy on the Diocesan website along with complete information on the Diocesan response to the sexual abuse crisis.
The Diocese is also adding at this time to its list of “Publicly Accused” priests the name of Father Adrian Donachie, OFM, who was a priest of the Franciscan Friars Holy Name Province. The Diocese has been notified that Father Donachie, who died in 1979, is on the Franciscan Friars Holy Name Province list of friars with substantiated allegations. Because Father Donachie served some of his ministry in the Diocese of Fall River, his name is included on the Diocesan list of “Publicly Accused.”
“I know that this is difficult for all of us, particularly the victims of clergy abuse, but it is my sincere hope that the addition of these priests will support healing for anyone who has suffered because of their actions,” said Bishop da Cunha. “I offer my deepest apologies to them and to their families.”
Fall River Diocesan policies state that an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor is determined to be credible when it has a “semblance of truth” under canon law, using a standard of proof approximating probable cause, and when it conforms to the definition of sexual abuse of a minor as outlined in those policies. In the case of a credible finding, both Diocesan policies and the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People require that an offending cleric be prohibited from ministry and his faculties withdrawn.
Through its Victim Assistance Outreach, the Diocese of Fall River offers supportive services to victims of clergy sexual abuse and their families, as well as to members of parishes impacted by these cases. For assistance, please contact Carolyn Shipp, the Director of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance at 508-985-6508 (confidential voicemail) or cshipp@dioc-fr.org.
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