2 Former Cape Priests Suspended After Child Abuse Allegations

FALL RIVER, MA — Two retired retired priest, who had served in several Cape Cod parishes, were suspended from ministry, following allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, according to the Diocese of Fall River. Reverends James Buckley and Edward Byington both denied the allegations.

Buckley was ordained in 1959, and throughout the decades, worked in parishes in Orleans, Vineyard Haven, Buzzards Bay and Chatham before retiring in 2001. Byington was ordained in 1970 and had served in 10 parishes, including St. Francis Xavier in Hyannis. He retired in 2006.

Mitchell Garabedian, a Boston attorney representing Byington's accuser, told the Cape Cod Times the alleged abuse happened around 1971. Garabedian said his client met Byington on a religious retreat, and then drove the teen boy to a rectory in Taunton. The teen boy thought Byington was driving him home, Garabedian said. Details were not released for allegations against Buckley.

Diocese officials said they have notified law enforcement officials and are conducting their own investigation. They said the two allegations were not connected, and neither priest currently works in a parish.

Throughout their retirement's both priest had helped with masses in various parishes. Byington also taught German at St. Joseph's School in West Warwick, Rhode Island, but diocese officials have since made the Diocese of Providence aware of the allegations.

"Nothing is more important than the welfare of all members of our diocesan community, especially anyone who has been harmed or impacted by abuse in any way," Bishop Edgar da Cunha said in a statement. "The Diocese of Fall River remains committed to resolving these matters in as fair and as transparent a process as possible and to ensuring the safety of all youth and vulnerable adults."

But Garabedian said the Catholic Church hasn't done enough to protect children and help abuse victims heal. He told the Cape Cod Times his client brought the allegations to the Fall River Diocese 10 years ago, but the diocese's investigation didn't take further action because no other accusations had been made against Byington.

Diocese officials said they've hired social worker Carolyn Shipp to focus on outreach to abuse victims.

"As a social worker, I am her to listen to anyone with concerns and to connect survivors to the resources they need," Shipp said.

Anyone with information about the conduct of past or present Diocese officials is asked to call Ship at 508-985-6508.