Diocese of Worcester

NEWS

Office of Communications

49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609 Phone/Fax 508 791-5357

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ray Delisle  508-791-5357

STATEMENT BY BISHOP DANIEL P. REILLY

On the allegation against Fr. Chester Devlin

Due to an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor in the 1980s, I have placed Fr. Chester Devlin on administrative leave from his duties as pastor effective Friday, April 26, 2002 in order that the parish and its school not be spiritually burdened during the investigation. As a result, Fr. Chester Devlin will not be engaging in any public ministry in this diocese or elsewhere. In keeping with our policy, we will cooperate fully with the District Attorney’s office in their investigation of this allegation.

In the meantime, Msgr. Thomas Sullivan will oversee the pastoral and temporal affairs of St. Bernadette Parish, Northboro. Msgr. Sullivan is now in residence at the parish rectory. He presided at Eucharistic liturgies at the parish this weekend and is available to parishioners for pastoral support and to express my concern and the support of the diocese. Msgr. Sullivan will also assume pastoral duties at St. Bernadette School, drawing on his experience as the former headmaster of St. Bernard High School in Fitchburg. I will also be conferring with parish leaders to determine what additional assistance is needed by the parish.

Additionally, Fr. Devlin is relieved from his position as Director of the Respect Life Office. Maria Flores, who has been associate director, will take over as the acting director for the office.

I ask for your prayers and support for the person making the allegation and the person’s family. Please also pray for the entire St. Bernadette parish family which Fr. Devlin has served first as administrator in 1991 then as pastor since 1992, the families and staff of the St. Bernadette school and the Pro-life community who have worked with him over the years. In charity, I also ask for your prayers for Fr. Devlin and his family during this investigation.

My prayers and encouragement are with all members of our diocesan family during these difficult times. We pledge, once again, our continued commitment to work towards the protection and wellbeing of children in our care.

April 29, 2002