STATEMENT OF THE DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER
IN RESPONSE TO ROAD TO RECOVERY PRESS CONFERENCE
February 8, 2022

In December 2021, the Diocese of Fall River announced that separate allegations made against suspended priests James F. Buckley, Edward J. Byington, and Richard E. Degagne were determined to be credible and that none would return to ministry. Their names were added to the list of “Credibly Accused” clergy on the Fall River Diocesan website.  While we do not comment on the specifics of any claim, we continue to move forward on the process to try to resolve these matters.

Through its Victim Assistance outreach, the Fall River Diocese offers supportive services to victims of clergy sexual abuse and their families.  For assistance, please contact Carolyn Shipp, the Director of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance Coordinator at 508-985-6508 (confidential voicemail) or cshipp@dioc-fr.org.

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Diocese of Fall River
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