A Letter from Bishop da Cunha

Bishop Edgar da Cunha issued a letter to the people of the Diocese of Fall River expressing sorrow following a report from the Attorney General’s Office regarding clergy sexual abuse of children. The report detailed historical abuse within the Fall River, Springfield, and Worcester dioceses, alongside failures by Church leaders to respond appropriately to those incidents.

Bishop da Cunha apologized to survivors, stating that the Church failed to provide the support, compassion, and justice they deserved during their time of vulnerability. He acknowledged that while many of the described incidents occurred decades ago, the wounds remain for survivors and their families. The bishop noted that the report's findings may cause sadness, anger, or disappointment among the faithful.