September 3, 1993

Priest queried on sex habits

by Kathleen Shaw, Telegram and Gazette

Lawyers reminds diocese on rights

A number of are priest have been questioned recently abut their sexual habits by representatives of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester, according to tow layer representing some to the priest.

The Rev. Henry G. Bowen, a cannon lawyer and the pastor of St Charles Borromeo Church, said he has been contacted by several priest and has sent a letter to Bishop Timothy J. Harrington advising him of priests' rights under church law.  The church gives priest the right to due process, Bowen said, and his intent was to remind he bishop of this right rather than to accuse the diocese of violating it.

John F. Murphy, a Worcester lawyer who represents one of the priest, said his client was questioned by James G. Reardon, a lawyer of the diocese, and at least one diocesan official.  Murphy said his client told him h believed that 20 priest had been questioned in a similar fashion.

Reardon said yesterday he could neither deny nor confirm that such question took place.  Diocesan official, including spokesperson John W. Barrett and Monsignor Edmond T. Tinsley. vicar general, did not immediately return telephone messages left for them last night.

NONE NAMED

Both Bowen and Murphy declined to name the priest they represented, but said no accusations of wrongdoing had been made.  Murphy said he understood that at least three other priest had retained lawyer as a result to the questioning, which he describe as "open-ended".

Bowen confirmed that the questioning concerned sexual matters, bout could no be more specific.  he practices law in the church courts, which are separate from the state or federal courts.

The questioning occurs at a time when the Worcester diocese and Harrington face several civil lawsuits by lay people who allege they were sexually abused by priest of the diocese, , none of whom is now in active ministry.  Some of the allegations date back to the 1960's and 1970's. Reardon represents the dioceses in some of those lawsuits.

WEREN'T TOLD WHY

Murphy called the questioning an "inquisition "that has "taken on aspects of a witch hunt" He said the priests were told by Harrington to appear, but were  not told why they were to be questioned.

"It amazes me and it shock me," he said.

The priests were asked a serious of personal questions that were impossible to answerer without knowledge of why they were being asked.  Murphy said. He said the implications in some questions cornered whether there is" some type of loose association or network" involving sexual activity.

"My client doesn't have a clue why his name was included." Murphy said "if this is just a fishing expedition, it is the most awful abuse of  have hears of."