Springfield Diocese hires ‘neutral’ agency to gather input from sex abuse victims to improve accountability, prevention
Updated Jan 07, 2021;
8
Facebook Share
A Deerfield-based organization contracted by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield is seeking help from clergy sexual abuse survivors as it develops recommendations for the diocese to improve prevention and accountability.
The announcement that recruitment of survivors who were sexually abused by Catholic priests, sisters and other members of the church community is underway by Stop It Now! for an independent report to the diocese was made during a press conference Thursday afternoon outside the Bishop Marshall Center on Elliot Street.
Springfield Diocese plans continued reforms in handling of clergy sexual abuse claims
Updated Jan 03, 2021;
Posted Jan 03, 2021
Daniel Ford, left, a retired superior court judge, is chairman of the 10-member Task Force on the Response to Sexual Abuse within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield. On his right in this Dec., 14, 2020 photo is Jeffrey Trant, director of the diocese s Office of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance. (Don Treeger | The Republican)
Facebook Share
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield will move forward in 2021 with a new bishop at the helm and building on reforms implemented under former Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski to better address how it handles allegations of clergy sexual abuse.
Faith communities united in support of Black Springfield church in wake of fire: Letter to the Editor
Updated Jan 02, 2021;
Facebook Share
I am deeply saddened to hear of the recent events related to the Martin Luther King Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield. At the time of my writing, the arson investigation is underway.
Regardless of what has happened, a local congregation is in crisis and, together with Baha’i Faith Communities of the Greater Springfield Area, Beloved Community Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts, Greater Springfield Campaign Nonviolence, Hampden Association of the United Church of Christ, Holy Cross JustFaith, members of the Interfaith Council of Greater Springfield, the Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts, the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts, Lutheran Churches of Western Massachusetts, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sp
Diocese of Springfield’s incoming bishop has ‘vision of hope’
The Rev. William D. Byrne, bishop-elect of the Diocese of Springfield, offers communion during a weekday Mass at the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING
The Rev. William D. Byrne, bishop-elect of the Diocese of Springfield, celebrates Mass at the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING
The Rev. William D. Byrne, bishop-elect of the Diocese of Springfield, celebrates Mass at the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING
Churches adapt Christmas services to the times VIA CREATORS.COM/FILE PHOTO
Published: 12/20/2020 8:22:18 PM
HOLYOKE At a typical Christmas Mass at Blessed Sacrament Parish, all of the approximately 525 seats are filled, with another 100 people standing around the church.
This year, the parish will host a very different scene: Approximately 210 people can fit in the church under the state’s social distancing guidelines, while others are invited to tune in to an FM transmission of the services on their car radios in the parking lot.
After the Mass, those who wish to receive communion from their cars are asked to switch on their hazard lights, and Pastor Robert Gentile will come to them in the parking lot.