Bishop Christopher J. Weldon

NY priest. Bishop of Springfield 1950-77. Accused of knowing of many abusers in diocese. Died in 1982. Accused in a 2005 lawsuit of abuse of a boy, ages 11-16. Accuser claimed he was abused by his uncle (Msgr. Page), several other priests, Weldon and another bishop. Accuser was in a TX prison for an unrelated murder when suit filed. Diocese said not credible. In 9/18 the Diocesan Review Board deemed credible an allegation that Weldon raped a 9- or 10-year-old boy in the early 1960s. The alleged victim said he was also abused by Revs. Edward Authier and Clarence Forand, also deemed credible. Victim sued in 1/21. Weldon is said to have interfered as bishop in the investigation into the murder of an altar boy in 1972 by Rev. Richard R. Lavigne. In 6/20, independent investigator Peter Velis released a report, stating that he found abuse allegations against Weldon “unequivocally credible.” Added to diocese’s list of accused 6/2/21.
- Statement by Bishop Dupre
- Springfield Republican 03.19.82
- Springfield Republican 03.01.04
- Springfield Republican 08.03.04
- Burnett v Bishop of Springfield, MA Superior Court No 05-0331(B) 03.29.05
- Telegram & Gazette 03.31.05
- Springfield Republican 03.31.05
- Telegram & Gazette (AP) 03.31.05
- BA list of US Bishops Accused of Abuse 04.14.08
- The Republican 12.03.08
- Berkshire Eagle 05.29.19
- WWLP 06.03.19
- Berkshire Eagle 06.04.19
- The Republican 06.11.19
- The Republican 06.16.19
- The Republican 06.18.19
- Berkshire Eagle 06.21.19
- The Republican 06.23.19
- The Republican 06.27.19
- Berkshire Eagle 07.22.19
- The Republican 07.23.19
- The Republican 07.30.19
- Springfield Republican 06.21.20
- Western Mass News 06.22.20
- Daily Hampshire Gazette 06.23.20
- WWLP 06.24.20
- Springfield Republican 06.24.20
- Velis Investigation Report 06.24.20
- New England Public Radio 06.24.20
- Daily Hampshire Gazette 06.24.20
- WWLP 06.25.20
- Greenfield Recorder 06.28.20
- Berkshire Eagle 07.04.20
- Berkshire Eagle 07.10.20
- Daily Hampshire Gazette 07.10.20
- Mass Live 07.11.20
- The Republican/MassLive 07.14.20
- Berkshire Eagle 07.16.20
- St Louis Post Dispatch 07.19.20
- Springfield Republican 08.03.20
- Catholic News Agency 08.07.20
- Catholic News Agency 08.11.20
- Springfield Republican 01.03.21
- Berkshire Eagle 02.09.21
- The Republican via MassLive 02.09.21
- Catholic News Agency 02.12.21
- Springfield Republican/MassLive 04.26.21
- Berkshire Eagle 04.27.21
- National Catholic Register 04.27.21
- Springfield Republican 05.02.21
- Diocese of Springfield List updated 06.02.21
- Berkshire Eagle 06.24.21
- Berkshire Eagle 09.19.21
- Berkshire Eagle 12.24.21
- Berkshire Eagle 03.07.22
- Berkshire Eagle 04.04.22
- Berkshire Eagle 09.21.22
- Berkshire Eagle 09.22.22
- Greenfield Recorder 10.05.22
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Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.