CBS Boston
December 9, 2010 11:58 AM
Reporting Lana Jones
LOWELL (CBS) – A former Lowell priest, who died in a car crash as he headed to a new assignment in Canada, is the subject of the latest allegations of clergy sex abuse involving children.
Three former altar boys from Holy Trinity in Lowell are asking Attorney Carmen Durso to make their allegations public, in hopes of identifying other victims.
“My three clients have identified between 10 and 20 other individuals that they say were also abused by Father Chet, and they believe that there are even more than that,” Durso told WBZ News Radio’s Lana Jones.
Father Chet was Czeslaw Szymanski, a native of Poland who served a short time in Rhode Island before reassignment to Lowell. He served as a parochial vicar at Holy Trinity from 1981 until 1987, before being transferred to Canada. Szymanski died later that year.
Durso said one of the things his clients want is an explanation for all of Szymanski’s transfers.
In a written statement, the Boston archdiocese said that counseling had been offered to the men who came forward.
“We are troubled and saddened any time new allegations are brought to our attention and, today, we extend our concern and prayers for the individuals and parish communities impacted by this difficult news,” the statement said. “We have notified law enforcement of these allegations and are awaiting additional detail from the claimants.”
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Victims claim ’80s abuse by late Mass. priest
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Boston Herald
By Associated Press
BRAINTREE — Three former altar boys have accused a now-deceased Lowell priest of repeatedly sexually abusing them in the 1980s just before they’d perform their duties at Mass.
The alleged victims say they were between ages 6 and 10 when the Rev. Czeslaw Szymanski fondled them in a room where priests and altar boys don robes.
The abuse allegedly happened between 1982 and 1987 when Szymanski worked at Holy Trinity Parish. Szymanski, ordained in Poland by the Order of St. Paul the First Hermit, died in a 1987 car accident. The alleged victims’ attorney, Carmen Durso, said his clients believe there could be up to 20 other victims.
In a statement, the Boston Archdiocese said Thursday it appreciates the “courage” of those who came forward and will work to resolve their claims.
Note “as he headed to a new assignment in Canada.”
I have learned that Szymanski was already IN Canada and was in the process of finalizing his move. He had made several trips back and forth moving his possessions.
More on this tomorrow when I get more information. It’s very interesting indeed!