Priest Who Worked at St. Joseph’s School Suspended by Fall River Diocese After Sex Abuse Allegations
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Priest who worked at St. Joseph's School suspended by Fall River Diocese after Sex abuse allegations
Father Edward J. Byington taught German classes at St. Joseph’s School in West Warwick.
"Upon learning the information from the Diocese of Fall River, the Diocese of Providence immediately removed him from any further participation or duties within the Diocese of Providence. Father Byington is no longer serving in any capacity. At this time, there are no known allegations against him in the Diocese of Providence," writes the Diocese of Providence in a statement.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAccording to the Diocese of Providence, Father Byington also assisted at Masses in parishes in the Diocese of Providence, including: St. Augustine, Providence where he was in residence until 2015; and St. Joan of Arc, Cumberland.
“My client is feeling emotionally drained after hearing about the suspension of Fr. Byington and also feels that it is about time that Fr. Byington be publically outed for accusations of clergy sexual abuse,” wrote attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who represents the victim.
Father James F. Buckley was also suspended.
Garabedian added, "Time and again it has been shown that the Catholic Church either cannot adequately self-police or cannot self-investigate."
The Allegations Against Byington
According to Garabedian, the sexual abuse took place in approximately 1971 when Father Byington offered to drive the victim home, but instead drove him to the rectory of Sacred Heart Church in Taunton.
Byington was not assigned to the church then.
According to Garabedian, the victim did not report the sexual abuse to the police because he was not emotionally able to.
Garabedian is also calling for the Diocese of Fall River to provide a complete list of credibly accused priests.
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