Word: spagnolia
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...trying to save his a__," the Rev. D. George Spagnolia told me. He was speaking of Bernard Cardinal Law and the Boston prelate's crackdown on priests who stand accused of child abuse. Cardinal Law had turned over 90 names of area clerics to the district attorney's office; 10 of the clerics were still active in the priesthood but were quickly put on administrative leave. Father Spagnolia, the 10th to be suspended, had become the first to proclaim his innocence, loudly, insisting that he would fight the charges "all the way to Rome...
...Asian immigrants. Now it is wrestling with its identity; it has landed a minor league ball club and a new park, but nothing yet has rescued its old working class. Throughout its upheavals, Lowell has often been steered by the church and, in at least one neighborhood, by Father Spagnolia. He arrived at St. Patrick's parish in 1998 and was quickly regarded as a savior as he revived the city's most famous church by raising money, renovating the Gothic building, reaching out to the Asian community, bolstering the food-voucher program and comforting the poor...
Cardinal Law’s recent backpedaling seems to be an overreaction to redeem his reputation in the public eye for the disastrous handling of Geoghan. By removing Spagnolia, Law seems to be acting solely on hearsay without having launched a full investigation. Making snap judgments on such a damning accusation goes against the very foundation of American law that one is innocent until proven guilty...
...Spagnolia had been a teacher, and a former student from decades past approached the school’s current administration, allegations alone would not likely result in removal without pay. If the investigation were to determine that the accusations were unfounded, a professional’s career and hard-earned reputation would be permanently scarred. Sex crimes are among the most abhorrent in our society, and a simple allegation can cause unimaginable hardships...
While the accusations against Spagnolia would probably fall outside the statute of limitations given that the alleged incident occurred 31 years ago, the Church still intends to pursue an investigation into the matter. If legitimate analysis finds reason to believe that Spagnolia may be a threat, he should be removed immediately, but Law’s move essentially announces the outcome of any inquiries before they begin. The Archdiocese should reconsider its overreactions and policy, for when the burden of proof begins to fall on the accused, a dangerous precedent of abuse of power is established...