MASSACHUSETTS
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SPRINGFIELD- A Franciscan friar who served in two western Massachusetts parishes in the 1990’s has been removed from active ministry by both his Conventual Franciscan Order and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, PA where he had served since 1997.
Conventual Franciscan Father Michael Lewandowski was removed from his position at St. Anne’s Parish in Davidsville, PA on May 19 based on allegations dating back to the 1980’s which happened in Maryland according to news reports. In removing him, Altonna diocesan officials indicated that there had been no complaints regarding Fr. Lewandowski during his 17 years in their diocese.
Likewise in a statement released late Wednesday afternoon May 21 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, officials here also indicated that “(n)o complaints against this priest have been forthcoming from his time in western Massachusetts.”
Fr. Lewandowski served locally at both St. Stanislaus Basilica and St. Anthony of Padua parishes in Chicopee starting in October 1991 until shortly before his re-assignment to Davidsville, PA.
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