Statement of the Fall River Diocese on the Removal of a Fall River Pastor Author: The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D. In the News 26 May 2019 Share FALL RIVER – At the conclusion of Masses this weekend (May 25-26, 2019), parishioners of Holy Trinity Parish in Fall River were informed that their pastor, Father Bruce Neylon, has been removed from active priestly ministry because of a credible allegation of misconduct that is inconsistent with standards of ministerial behavior and in direct violation of the Code of Conduct for priests in the Fall River Diocese and the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Fall River Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., made the decision to remove Father Neylon after an investigation into an allegation from an individual who said that Father Neylon had sexual contact with him on numerous occasions in the early 1980s when he, the complainant, was approximately 14 to 15 years old. The Diocese has never received any other allegations against Father Neylon. As is procedure, the Diocese engaged the services of a former Massachusetts State Trooper to conduct an independent investigation. A report of the investigator’s findings was provided to the Fall River Diocesan Review Board, which followed with its own review of the facts. The Review Board, which includes nine lay and clerical members with legal, judicial, law enforcement, and social work backgrounds as well as a victim of abuse, met several times on this difficult matter. After serious consideration of all relevant information, including Father Neylon’s denial of the allegation, the Board determined the allegation to be credible, warranting his removal. In cases like this, both diocesan policy and the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People require that the accused cleric be removed from ministry. The matter has also been referred to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. “I know this is distressing information, first and foremost to Holy Trinity Parish, but also to the wider diocesan community of faith, and I want to assure all that my prayers are with them,” Bishop da Cunha said. “At the same time, I wish to extend my prayers to this individual who came forward and to all survivors who have endured abuse,” he said. Father Neylon’s removal took effect immediately. A priest who is removed from active ministry is not permitted to exercise public ministry nor present himself as a priest in public settings. Background: Father Neylon’s Assignments: Ordained 1975 1975 Assigned Parochial Vicar (or Assistant), Holy Name Parish, Fall River 1982 Assigned Parochial Vicar, St. Patrick Parish, Wareham 1985 Assigned to Pastoral Care, Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Attleboro 1993 Assigned Pastor, St. Mary Parish, Seekonk 2002 Assigned Pastor, St. Stanislaus Parish, Fall River 2012 Assigned Pastor, Holy Trinity Parish, Fall River The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D. The Bishop of Fall River Categories In the News Press Releases and Statements Messages from The Bishop Bishop's Blog Success Stories Photo Gallery Videos Related Posts In the News 13 May 2014 Statement in Response to Lawsuit Filed Against Fall River Diocese and Retired Hartford Archbishop In July 2012, a claim was brought against the Fall River Diocese by two adult males alleging they had been abused as minors by the Reverend Monsignor Maurice Souza, a … Read More In the News 7 Jan 2021 Diocese of Fall River Releases List of 75 Clergy Accused of Sexual Abuse of Minors FALL RIVER, Mass. (Jan. 7, 2021) – Today, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., announced that the Diocese of Fall River has published a list of 75 clergy who have … Read More In the News 22 Nov 2019 Diocesan Review Board Finds Allegation Against Fall River Priest,Youth Apostle Member Unproven FALL RIVER — The Fall River Diocese has announced today (November 22, 2019) that an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor made against Father Michael F. Kuhn, Y.A., has … Read More