Framingham Priest Suspended After Sex Abuse Allegation

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The monsignor of St. Bridget's Parish in Framingham was suspended on Friday after he was accused of sexual abuse. The Rev. Francis V. Strahan was placed on administrative leave, according to the Archdiocese of Boston.

The Archdiocese did not release details about the allegations, but did say that Framingham police have been notified, and that the church launched a preliminary investigation. The alleged abuse took place in 2006, according to church officials.

"Strahan will remain on administrative leave without any public ministry pending the outcome. The decision to place Strahan on administrative leave represents the Archdiocese’s commitment to the welfare of all parties and does not represent a determination of ... guilt or innocence as it pertains to this allegation," the Archdiocese said in a statement.

The Archdiocese of Boston has identified nine priests with ties to Framingham who were accused of abuse dating back to the 1940s. Only one, the Rev. Thomas F. Dempsey, was ever convicted of child sexual abuse. He was a vicar at St. Stephen Parish in Framingham in 1985 and 1986. He was jailed in Wisconsin in 1997, but died in 1998.

Strahan is pictured at center in this photo from the church's Facebook page:

St. Bridget Parish is located at 830 Worcester Road, and the adjacent St. Bridget School is located next door. The parish was first organized in Framingham in 1878.