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	Former Somerset Priest Removed after Abuse Alleged By Will Richmond Wicked Local March 17, 2008 http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerset/news/x688588711 Fall River - A retired priest who once worked in Somerset has been removed from the ministry following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him, the Diocese of Fall River announced Monday. The diocese announced Monday the Rev. Bento R. Fraga was removed after it determined an allegation brought against him in January was credible. Fraga is accused of a single claim of sexual misconduct at a private residence in 1979, when Fraga served as pastor at Holy Ghost Parish in Attleboro. Following the accusation, the matter was turned over to the diocese's Review Board, which conducted a full investigation. Fraga denied the charge, but the veteran clergy member was removed, as required by diocesan policy and the U.S. Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The incident also has been reported to the district attorneys of Barnstable and Bristol counties. Fraga retired in 2005 but received permission to continue serving at his own preference. He lived at St. Anthony Parish in Taunton, where he often helped out, but the diocese's ruling means Fraga will no longer be able to live in parish housing or at the preists' retirement facility. Fraga joined the diocese in 1956 as an assigned assistant at St. John of God Parish in Somerset. He moved to St. Joseph's in Taunton in 1969 and spent the next 35 years in parishes in Attleboro, New Bedford and Provincetown before retiring at age 75. A letter from Bishop George W. Coleman explaining Fraga's removal was distributed at Masses last weekend in parishes where Fraga served. Counselors from Catholic Social Services were also present at Masses in St. Anthony's and St Paul's. "Bishop Coleman said he is deeply troubled by this matter and understands how devastating the announcement of it is to parishioners of the parishes where Father Fraga served as well as to his family and friends," read a statement from the diocese's Office of Communication. "To all of these people, the bishop offers his assurance of prayers and asks in return that they remember in theirs Father Fraga and the person bringing forth the accusation." The diocese asks anyone with information about the allegation to contact Arlene McNamee in the Office of Child Protection at Catholic Social Services at (508) 674-4681 or the Barnstable or Bristol counties district attorney's offices. E-mail Will Richmond at wrichmond@heraldnews.com. The Rev. Bento R. Fraga was removed after it determined an allegation brought against him in January was credible. Fraga is accused of a single claim of sexual misconduct at a private residence in 1979, when Fraga served as pastor at Holy Ghost Parish in Attleboro. Following the accusation, the matter was turned over to the diocese's Review Board, which conducted a full investigation. Fraga denied the charge, but the veteran clergy member was removed, as required by diocesan policy and the U.S. Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The incident also has been reported to the district attorneys of Barnstable and Bristol counties. Fraga retired in 2005 but received permission to continue serving at his own preference. He lived at St. Anthony Parish in Taunton, where he often helped out, but the diocese's ruling means Fraga will no longer be able to live in parish housing or at the preists' retirement facility. Fraga joined the diocese in 1956 as an assigned assistant at St. John of God Parish in Somerset. He moved to St. Joseph's in Taunton in 1969 and spent the next 35 years in parishes in Attleboro, New Bedford and Provincetown before retiring at age 75. A letter from Bishop George W. Coleman explaining Fraga's removal was distributed at Masses last weekend in parishes where Fraga served. Counselors from Catholic Social Services were also present at Masses in St. Anthony's and St Paul's. "Bishop Coleman said he is deeply troubled by this matter and understands how devastating the announcement of it is to parishioners of the parishes where Father Fraga served as well as to his family and friends," read a statement from the diocese's Office of Communication. "To all of these people, the bishop offers his assurance of prayers and asks in return that they remember in theirs Father Fraga and the person bringing forth the accusation." The diocese asks anyone with information about the allegation to contact Arlene McNamee in the Office of Child Protection at Catholic Social Services at (508) 674-4681 or the Barnstable or Bristol counties district attorney's offices. E-mail Will Richmond at wrichmond@heraldnews.com.
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