One-man protest outside Fall River Diocese demands list of credibly accused priests

By Deborah Allard
Herald News
January 21, 2020

https://www.tauntongazette.com/news/20200121/one-man-protest-outside-fall-river-diocese-demands-list-of-credibly-accused-priests

Victim advocate and former priest Robert M. Hoatson of New Jersey held a one-man protest outside the Fall River Diocese on Highland Avenue Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020.

Victim advocate and former priest Robert M. Hoatson of New Jersey held a one-man protest outside the Fall River Diocese on Highland Avenue Tuesday morning to ask that Bishop Edgar da Cunha release a complete list of priests accused of sexual abuse.

“It’s outrageous that he hasn’t released this already,” Hoatson said.

Hoatson’s protest came just two days after an additional two Catholic priests, Fr. James F. Buckley and Fr. Edward J. Byington, both retired, were suspended amid allegations of two separate accounts of sexual abuse of a minor. Both served in Fall River churches and in other local towns in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

But the Fall River Diocese said it is still conducting an internal review of sexual abuse allegations of its clergy. Da Cunha in January 2019 announced the hiring of former FBI Assistant Director William Gavin to review claims as an independent consultant. A list was expected to be released last spring.

“Last year, Bishop da Cunha announced his intention to publish a list of clergy against whom a credible allegation of abuse of a minor has been made in the past, and this remains his commitment,” John Kearns, director of Communications for the Fall River Diocese, said in an email Tuesday. “The Diocese’s preparation of the list of accused priests is ongoing. Bishop da Cunha appreciates the concerns of the individual who was present today and wishes to assure the community of faithful that the Diocese is taking the time and diligence necessary to compile a list that is accurate and thorough.”

Hoatson said all names should have been released in a more timely manner. He said it was important for victims who “might come forward” to be able to do so and to find closure.

He said da Cunha seems to be releasing the names of those alleged to have committed abuse in “piece meal,” perhaps to “soften the blow.”

Hoatson said he has been in Fall River several times, once with a victim of Byington.

While Hoatson was alone at this protest Tuesday, he wasn’t the only person asking for the release of names.

“It is time for Bishop da Cunha to immediately publicly list the names of all credibly accused priests and Catholic Church employees who sexually abused minor children when working within the Diocese of Fall River,” said Attorney Mitchell Garabedian in an email to The Herald News on Tuesday.

In a statement Monday, Garabedian said he represents a man “who claims he was sexually abused by Father Byington when he was approximately 16 to 17 years old.” Garabedian was portrayed in “Spotlight” by Stanley Tucci.

“Releasing the list will help sexual abuse victims try to heal, empower other victims and make the world a safer place for children,” Garabedian continued. Not releasing the list, he said, was a “re-victimization of sexual abuse victims. It is time to end the secrecy, provide transparency and act in a positive manner.”

Hoatson, co-founder and president of Road to Recovery in Livingtson, N.J., travels the country to help victims of abuse. He was ordained as a priest in 1997 and after his work with victims obtained a voluntary removal from the priesthood in 2011.