Monitoring of priests helps curb sex abuse relapse, say experts

Published: 2004-02-18

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (CNS) -- The Springfield Diocese has hired an experienced law enforcement professional to monitor clergy removed from ministry because of child sex abuse. It joins several other dioceses that have adopted this practice from the secular parole system to supervise offenders. Experts experienced in monitoring programs told The Catholic Observer, Springfield's diocesan newspaper, that the hiring of such monitors can significantly reduce the risk of people committing further abuses. Deacon William Toller, superintendent of human services at the Hampden County Correctional Center, was hired by the Springfield Diocese at the end of last year as a paid, part-time monitor. "My role is not to determine anyone's guilt or innocence," Deacon Toller said. "But I want to know what these men are doing now. I don't see my role as hiding in the bushes every day. But I do intend to ask them some pretty pointed questions about things they are doing," said Deacon Toller, who retained his job at the county correctional center. The monitored priests in Springfield number 10. They are mostly of retirement age and include Richard Lavigne, convicted child molester who was laicized by papal decree in January after being suspended from ministry in 1991.

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