Fr. Edward J. Byington
Retired in 2006. Suspended in 1/2020 due to an allegation of abuse of a boy, age 16, in 1971. His accuser said he met Byington through a weekend retreat for Christian teenagers and that the abuse occurred after the priest offered him a ride home. Byington allegedly took the boy to a convent and upstairs to his room, despite nuns trying to prevent the priest from taking the boy there by blocking the stairs. The abuse is said to have included sodomy. Byington denied the allegation. Included on the diocese’s list of accused 1/7/2021, under “cases in process.” Settlement in 5/2022 in the mid-to-high five figures. Reportedly in 11/2021 a second alleged victim had recently come forward. On 12/13/2021 the diocese announced that the allegations against Byington were deemed credible and that he would not be returned to ministry. Accused in a case settled in 2023 of sexually abusing a boy, age 12, in 1976. Byington died 12/6/2023.
- The Anchor 01.19.20
- Diocese of Fall River 01.19.20
- WPRI 12 01.19.20
- WJAR 10 01.19.20
- Mass Live 01.20.20
- Sun Chronicle 01.21.20
- Sun Chronicle 01.07.21
- Diocese of Fall River List 01.26.21
- WJAR 11.23.21
- Herald News 11.24.21
- WCVB 12.13.21
- Diocese of Fall River 12.13.21
- WCVB 12.13.21
- The Sun Chronicle 12.13.21
- WBSM-AM 12.13.21
- WBSM 12.14.21
- MassLive/The Republican 04.16.22
- Law Offices of Mitchell Garabedian 10.30.23
- Dignity Memorial Obituary 12.06.23
- Taunton Gazette 12.21.23
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