Former Cape Priest Facing Child Abuse Allegations

ORLEANS, MA — A retired priest, who served at parishes in Cape Cod and several other Massachusetts communities, was suspended from ministry following allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, according to the Diocese of Fall River. Rev. Herbert Nichols was the third former Cape Cod pastor to face child abuse allegations in the last week. Nichols and Reverends James Buckley and Edward Byington have denied the allegations.

Nichols was ordained in 1975 and severed at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Orleans. During his time as a priest, Nichols also worked at churches in Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton and Raynham. Diocese officials did not release the nature of the allegations or which parish they stemmed from.

Like Buckley and Byington, Nichols has spent time in his retirement volunteering at services throughout the diocese. Diocese officials said the suspension bars him from these services until their investigation is complete.

Last year, the Fall River Diocese hired an independent investigator to evaluate priests' personnel files. Bishop Edgar da Cunhu told parishioners a list of accused clergy would follow.

"The task of evaluating all of the files and the response needed on our part as a result of the findings have, regretfully, taken more time than first thought," da Cunha said in a statement. "It is crucial that we take the time and perform the diligence necessary to compile a list that is accurate and complete, and we continue to do so."

But Mitchell Garabedian, a Boston attorney representing Byington's accuser, told the Cape Cod Times the Catholic Church hasn't done enough to protect childrenand help abuse victims heal. He said 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 acknowledge the pain these allegations bring and hired social worker Carolyn Shipp to focus on outreach to abuse victims.

"I understand that these recent announcements regarding the suspensions of priests are upsetting to our diocesan community of faith and often bring renewed pain to victims of sexual abuse especially victims of sexual abuse by clergy," da Cunha said. "I continue to pray for our brothers and sisters who have suffered greatly."

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