Worcester Officials Speak Out About St. John’s Abuse Allegations

WORCESTER, MA — A group of Worcester elected officials are speaking out about an investigation into sexual abuse allegations against St. John's Parish food program coordinator Billy Riley.

Worcester city councilors Etel Haxhiaj, Thu Nguyen and Sarai Rivera and school committee members Sue Mailman and Tracy O’Connell Novick released a joint statement Sunday in support of women who have reported abuse.

"These stories remind us that exploitation, sexual violence, and abuse of power can fester even in places we perceive to be houses of justice, holiness and care. As a community, we must not withhold assistance and support for these survivors because these events happened on church properties or were perpetrated by those we once saw as moral leaders," the statement said.

St. John's last week put Riley on leave after an allegation filed March 11, but at least three women have filed complaints, according to reports. The church said it will hire an attorney to investigate the allegations.

The Catholic news site Crux first reported the allegations against Riley. Nicole Bell, the founder of the Worcester nonprofit Living in Freedom Together, also stepped forward last week to accuse St. John's of ignoring past allegations against Riley.

The St. John's Food for the Poor program is one of the largest charitable organizations assisting the poor and homeless in Worcester. The program provides daily meals, winter clothing and runs a food pantry for people and pets. Riley has been the program's coordinator for about a decade.

The Worcester elected officials asked members of the community to step forward and support the women reporting abuse.

"[W]e are choosing to step forward as elected leaders because we know that too often survivors go unheard and unsupported when victimized by institutions of power," their statement continued. "We must act on the matter. We cannot be bystanders. We have the obligation and duty as a community to be in solidarity and, most importantly, trust survivors and create space for them to lead their healing process."

Here's the full statement on the Billy Riley allegations: