Coincidences?

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Feb 12, 2004

Item: On January 20, the Diocese of Springfield (Massachusetts) announced the laicization of Richard Lavigne, whose priestly career had been dotted with sex-abuse charges. Lavigne is also the leading (and only) suspect in the murder of a local boy in 1972.

Lavigne had hinted that the diocese wouldn't dare take action against him. But finally the diocese did. And then:

Item: On February 10, Pope John Paul accepted the resignation of Springfield's Bishop Thomas Dupre.

Item: On February 12, a Springfield Republican story revealed that the bishop himself faces sex-abuse charges.

The alleged misconduct took place a few decades ago. But the complaints didn't come to light until now. Why?