BishopAccountability.org

Revere parents to hear from Archdiocese over handling of misconduct allegations

Fox 25
January 15, 2015

http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/27851955/revere-parents-to-hear-from-archdiocese-over-handling-of-misconduct-allegations


[with video]

REVERE, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- Parents of students at the Immaculate Conception School in Revere are set to attend a second meeting with the Archdiocese of Boston about allegations of misconduct against a school worker.

As of Tuesday, the worker has been placed on leave and the school's pastor, principal and a teacher were out of a job, though some parents believe this was an overreaction.

Some parents think the accusations are overblown. Others say you can't be too cautious when it comes to protecting children. Regardless, many question how the school handled the allegations.

Parent Camelia Leone said they were "just allegations for now, and I tend to reserve judgement until they do investigate and find out what's going on."

The allegations are that students on three separate occasions walked into the boys' bathroom and discovered an adult male school worker who was not supposed to be in the bathroom.

The first opportunity to get information came Wednesday. The Archdiocese of Boston invited parents to meetings at the school with the superintendent of Boston's Catholic schools.

"They say he was in the bathroom," said parent Felicity Mabikas. "They say it's wrong. I think that as a school policy, adults shouldn't go to the bathroom at the same time with kids."

And, according to the Archdiocese, school officials didn't report allegations in a timely manner. Now, the accused worker is on leave. The school's pastor, principal and a teacher resigned this week.

"We have well established protocols in place that schools and other church related entities are required to follow when a matter of this nature is brought to our attention," said a statement from the Archdiocese.

One parent, who asked that FOX 25 not show her face, believes the diocese may have overstepped.

"I think it was a slight overreaction and I think it was a quick rush to judgement. I don't think the issue was that serious in nature the way it's being portrayed."

Other parents say you can never be too cautious when it comes to protecting children.

"I think what they did was already good," Mabikas said.

The accused worker faces no criminal charges.

"I feel his reputation has been desecrated and I don't think it's fair. I think he should have a say."

The Suffolk County District Attorney confirms they have opened an investigation, but say they are not seeking any criminal charges at this point.




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