BOSTON (MA)
Anglican Watch [Alexandria, VA]
May 15, 2025
Anglican Watch, the unofficial watchdog organization for the Episcopal Church, today called on Episcopalians opposed to child sexual abuse to withhold donations from the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts until the Diocese complies with state mandatory child abuse reporting laws.
The move comes after the Diocese refused to hold clergy accountable for failing to report historical child sex abuse allegations involving Episcopal priest Richard Losch, who is accused of taking boys across state lines in the 1970s in order to rape them, to state law enforcement.
Under Massachusetts law, clergy are mandated reporters unless the disclosure is made as part of a confession. Historical incidents also must be reported, which is essential, as other victims frequently come forward when a case becomes public.
Additionally, taking a child across state lines for an illicit purpose is a federal felony and not subject to a statute of limitation.
Anglican Watch filed a formal complaint about this matter with the Diocese of Massachusetts approximately a year ago, on the basis that church intake officers refused to respond appropriately to the allegations, including not complying with state mandatory reporting laws.
Similarly, then-Bishop Alan Gates also ignored the allegations against Losch.
When the diocese dismissed Anglican Watch’s concerns, the organization appealed the decision, focusing on the Diocese’s criminal violation of the state mandatory reporting statute.
Now, following the Diocese’s dismissal of Anglican Watch’s appeal, which Bishop Julia E. Whitworth approved, Anglican Watch has filed a request for criminal investigation by the Massachusetts Attorney General.
The organization also sought support from other advocacy groups and filed a complaint with the US Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“It is inconceivable that the Episcopal Church, or any other church, would think it is okay to ignore its legal and moral obligation to immediately report child sexual abuse, no matter when it happened, or who was involved,” says Anglican Watch official Eric Bonetti. “Even now, the Diocese has done nothing to encourage other potential victims to come forward. And to be clear: While Losch is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, we believe the alleged victim testified truthfully and accurately at trial. Moreover, we strongly believe there are additional victims,” Bonetti adds.
Anglican Watch is the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church. Founded in 2015, the organization addresses sexual and non-sexual abuse, both in the Episcopal Church and other faith communities.
SOURCE Anglican Watch
CONTACT: Eric Bonetti, 240-630-3767, eric@anglicanwatch.com