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  Records of Two More Accused Priests Released

Herald wire services, carried in Boston Herald
February 25, 2003

The Archdiocese of Boston released documents on two more priests accused of sexual abuse yesterday on the eve of Bernard Cardinal Law's appearance before a grand jury weighing whether he or others should face criminal charges in the scandal.

Personnel records on the Rev. Richard E. McQuade, formerly of St. John's Church in Canton and Quincy's Mary Star of the Sea and now listed as on emergency pastoral duty, include love letters between the priest and a seminarian who later died in a car accident near McQuade's home.

Other records were on the late Rev. Allan E. Roche, who admitted abusing his niece. He was pastor at St. Monica's in Haverhill..

McQuade denied allegations that he and the young man had a sexual relationship dating back to 1992. Church officials recommended McQuade seek psychotherapy but decided the charges were unsubstantiated.

``In your situation the Review Board and the Delegate have decided that there is no reasonable probability that sexual misconduct occurred,'' Law wrote to McQuade in a 1996 letter.

Law is scheduled to testify today before a grand jury convened last year by state Attorney General Tom Reilly. He is one of at least eight Boston church officials subpoenaed to answer questions about how they handled complaints against priests accused of sexually abusing children.

 
 

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