Catholic Memorial School has had a long history of sexual abuse by at least five lay teachers, priests, and Christian Brothers

Road to Recovery
June 15, 2014

http://www.road-to-recovery.org/

Press release

What: A press conference demanding the release of all information regarding alleged inappropriate sexual texting by former assistant athletic director James Cerbo and information relating to all other sexual abusers who sexually abused at Catholic Memorial School.

When: Monday, June 16, 2014 at 11:00 AM

Where: On the public sidewalk at the corner of Baker and Gardner Streets in front of Catholic Memorial School, 235 Baker Street, West Roxbury, MA

Who: Former teacher, coach, and Assistant Headmaster of Catholic Memorial School, Dr. Robert M. Hoatson, who currently is President of Road to Recovery, Inc., a non-profit charity that assists victims of sexual abuse and their families; supporters, and friends.

In approximately 1981, Dr. Hoatson alerted the Catholic Memorial administration of his suspicion that Vice Chancellor Monsignor Frederick J. Ryan, an Archdiocese of Boston priest and former chaplain of the school, was sexually abusing students in the football program. In 2002, two students from that program went public with stories of having been sexually abused by Msgr. Ryan. Msgr. Ryan is now defrocked and living in Iowa.

In approximately 1983, Dr. Hoatson was a staff member of the school when teacher Benjamin Hopkins was allowed to retire after allegations surfaced that Mr. Hopkins sexually abused at least one student. Just recently, another sexual abuse claim was successfully settled against teacher Benjamin Hopkins.

In approximately 1986, Dr. Hoatson was informed by a parent of a Catholic Memorial student that a Catholic Memorial Christian Brother, Michael Walsh, took students on a camping trip and took sexually explicit and nude photos of them.

Why: Catholic Memorial School has had a long history of sexual abuse of children, dating back at least to the early 1980s. During that time, the following lay teachers, Christian Brothers, and clergymen were accused of sexual abuse, but the school never warned parents, alumni, or the general public about the sexual abuse or the sexual abusers:

1) Vice Chancellor Monsignor Frederick J. Ryan, an Archdiocese of Boston priest, sexually abused several students over a number of years.

2) Benjamin Hopkins, an English teacher, now deceased, was accused of sexually abusing at least two students in his apartment in Cambridge and elsewhere. Catholic Memorial recently settled a claim of sexual abuse against Mr. Hopkins.

3) Br. Michael Walsh, a deceased Christian Brother, was accused of taking sexually explicit and nude photos of students on a camping trip in or around 1986.

4) Br. George Paramo, a deceased Christian Brother, was accused of voyeurism in the Catholic Memorial locker room and a local sports facility by many students.

5) Most recently, Assistant Athletic Director, James Cerbo, allegedly sent sexually explicit messages to students which led to his firing and a current criminal investigation.

Catholic Memorial School will be asked to release all information it has about sexual abuse of students by faculty and staff so that victims can heal, the public will be alerted and children will be safer. By doing so, sexual abuse victims will become empowered and realize they are not alone. It is time for Catholic Memorial to become transparent for the sake of healing and the safety of children. It is time for Catholic Memorial School to give to the authorities all information in its possession concerning the sexual abuse of students by faculty and staff.

Contacts: Dr. Robert M. Hoatson, Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800 Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, Boston, MA – 617-523-6250