Indecent Exposure Charge Prompts School Resignations

By Cyrus Moulton
Daily Item
January 15, 2015

http://www.itemlive.com/news/indecent-exposure-charge-prompts-school-resignations/article_1336f19c-9c73-11e4-9d42-0f99325ff805.html

Three members of the Immaculate Conception School community have resigned after failing to report “in a timely manner” allegations that a worker exposed himself while using a student bathroom.

“Schools and parishes have strict guidelines and policies to follow when such matters are brought to their attention,” Archdiocese of Boston spokesperson Terrence Donilon said in a statement. “With regards to Immaculate Conception in Revere, the pastor, principal and a teacher have resigned their positions due to their failure to report these possible incidents in a timely manner.”

Revere Police detectives and the Suffolk district attorney’s office have begun an investigation, but there are no charges at this time, according to the DA’s office.

Donilon said the archdiocese learned within the past week of a potential indecent exposure that allegedly occurred while a worker was using the boys’ bathroom. Donilon said the bathroom is intended to be used only by students. The archdiocese said it was told of three potential incidents over the past month and a half.

“When it comes to the safety of our children, there can be no breakdown in following well-established and effective policies,” the archdiocese said in the statement. “When mistakes are made, we must hold ourselves accountable. We are grateful that the pastor, principal and teacher have accepted responsibility.”

Cardinal Sean O’Malley has appointed Father Charles Bourke, who is currently serving as pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Winthrop, as temporary administrator at Immaculate Conception Parish in Revere, effective Wednesday, the archdiocese said Wednesday afternoon.

Rev. Bourke was born in Boston in 1944, ordained in 1970, and has previously served at Our Lady of Lourdes in Jamaica Plain and Saint Catherine of Genoa Parish in Somerville. Rev. Bourke is also the former dean of students at Saint John Seminary and has served as Navy chaplain.

The Catholic Schools Office will be appointing an interim school principal in the coming days.

A private meeting with parents has also been scheduled.

Several parents outside the school Wednesday at dismissal said they thought that any alleged incident was being blown out of proportion, and they expressed confidence in the school. Parents also said they didn’t know much about the allegations.

“I’m not in a place to judge because I don’t know what happened,” parent Ricardo Martins said. “I hate people just jumping to conclusions.”

Asked if he was concerned that school officials had, according to the archdiocese, not correctly reported a potential issue, Matins responded, “I’m more upset because we lost three good teachers at the school.”