Parker Waichman LLP

Claim: Abuse Ignored

Sex Abuse Allegations Against A Priest. A Chicopee layman who was active in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield said in an affidavit he believes church authorities knew of abuse allegations against the Rev. Richard R. Lavigne as early as the late 1960s, years before the diocese says it first learned of such allegations. The […]

Abuse scandal

Sex Abuse Allegations Against A Priest. A Chicopee layman who was active in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield said in an affidavit he believes church authorities knew of abuse allegations against the Rev. Richard R. Lavigne as early as the late 1960s, years before the diocese says it first learned of such allegations.

The Sunday Republican of Springfield reported that Maurice E. DeMontigny, a confidant of the late Bishop Christopher Weldon, recounted being told by his former pastor of such allegations in the late 1960s.

DeMontigny told The Associated Press yesterday he had no concrete evidence that the parish priest, the late Rev. Thomas P. Griffin, told Weldon about the allegations against Lavigne. But, he said, “my gut feeling of who he is and who he was is that (Griffin) would have reported that to Bishop Weldon.”

priests were molesting children

Church officials and their lawyers have said they didn’t receive complaints that priests were molesting children until 1986, when Lavigne was accused of raping altar boys. The diocese stands “staunchly” behind that statement, spokesman Mark Dupont said yesterday.

Lavigne pleaded guilty to molesting two other boys in 1992. The diocese settled 17 sexual abuse suits against Lavigne in the 1990s. At least 14 more are pending.

Two of DeMontigny’s nephews, Raymond and Joseph Gouin, were among 17 Lavigne accusers who settled a suit with the diocese for $1.4 million in 1994.

DeMontigny’s statements were made in an affidavit responding to the church’s request that five abuse suits be dismissed based on charitable immunity laws that protected the church before September 1971. He said he made a similar claim in a sworn statement to an attorney in 1992, but it was never made public.

DeMontigny, now 72, was appointed by Weldon to local and New England boards for religious education and was a founding member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Springfield.

“I believe, based upon my familiarity with the workings of my parish and of the Diocese of Springfield, that diocesan officials knew, as of the late 1960s, that Lavigne was a child molester,” he said in the affidavit.

In one case, DeMontigny recalled Griffin, his pastor, first sharing with him an accusation of sexual abuse against Lavigne in the late 1960s. He recalled Griffin saying “he needed my help for a serious and grave matter and asked that our conversation be held in the strictest of confidence,” DeMontigny said in the affidavit.

Need Legal Help Regarding Abuse?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
I would like to thank the Parker Waichman Staff for helping me throughout this journey, Bonita Rollis was exceptionally awesome in guiding me throughout this process. From the beginning she offered hospitality and wished me longevity in my course of healing. We creation a connection, which made it easier for me to understand the process. I explored with questions and she listened with patience and provided recommendations every time we spoke. I have and will always recommend this firm to any of my family and friends.
donna rayside
a year ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Michelle Josama was absolutely fantastic. Glad we got her for our case. Had a great experience!
Rafael Garcia
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Although this process has been long, I have been very fortunate to have Christina Morace assigned to my claim. From the beginning, she has been able to answer all of my questions and lead me along through the process of submitting documents. She answers all questions whether by phone or email in a timely manner. Tina is extremely professional and has a very personal manner in dealing with the complicated aspects of the WTC Victims Compensation Fund claim. I feel totally comfortable with her and highly recommend her to any other claimants who may be going through this process.
T-J Fleming
2 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038