Fr. Richard B. Farwell

Ordained: 1981
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Charlotte NC

Placed on leave in 5/1985; the Diocese announced he was assigned to “a priestly ministry program” in RI; was actually sent to House of Affirmation in MA for treatment. Returned to the Charlotte diocese in 7/1988. Accused in 2/1999 of the sexual abuse of a  10- to 12-year-old boy 19 years prior. Sent to the Miami FL archdiocese in 2000 with a letter of reference from Bishop Curlin. The same accuser resurfaced in 2002. Faculties revoked in 4/2002. Indicted in 8/2002 on charges of ” indecent liberties” with a boy in the mid-1980s. Pleaded no contest in 11/2004; sentenced to 180 days probation, counseling and community service. A civil suit was filed 7/19/2011. Accused of abuse of an altar boy; grooming began in the early 1980s when the boy was 14, after the boy confided to Farwell that he had been raped by a truck driver while hitch-hiking. Filed suit 4/13/2020. Farwell’s name is included on the  Diocese’s list 12/29/2019.

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