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Church in
Crisis
Exonerated priest charged again, placed on administrative
leave
The Boston archdiocese exonerated Msgr. Michael Smith Foster of
sexual misconduct allegations Sept 10. But in a dramatic reversal, four days
later, citing “new evidence,” the archdiocese placed Foster on
administrative leave and reopened the case against him.
Allegations against Foster surfaced in mid-August when Paul R.
Edwards filed a lawsuit in the Massachusetts Suffolk Superior Court, saying
Foster began molesting him when Edwards was 15 years old. Foster, the
highest-ranking archdiocesan official to be charged in the sex abuse scandal,
denied the allegations. But pending an investigation and resolution of the
charges, he requested to be placed on administrative leave. Cardinal Bernard
Law granted that request.
A group of priests and laypeople had expressed strong doubts about
the charges against Foster. During the last two weeks of August, moreover, even
Edwards’ lawyer, Eric J. Parker, expressed doubts to the court about the
charges. On Sept. 3, Edwards withdrew his lawsuit, “with prejudice,”
meaning it cannot be filed again.
A week later Law called Foster to tell him he had been cleared and
reinstated, according to a Sept. 12 Boston Globe report. Law also asked
Foster to celebrate Mass with him the following Sunday. Foster expressed
“joy” with his reinstatement.
But the following day Edwards met with church officials to renew
his charges. Presented with renewed charges, Foster refused to accept voluntary
leave status. On Sept. 14, the archdiocese placed him on administrative
leave.
-- Chuck Colbert
National Catholic Reporter, September 27,
2002
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