National Group Wants "Secret" Files Of Church Abuse

A non-profit group wants the Diocese of Springfield to release its files on the case of the late Richard Lavigne.

Lavigne is the former priest who was named yesterday as the main suspect in the 1972 murder of former altar boy Danny Croteau. The body of the then 13 year-old Croteau was found in the Connecticut River April 15th, 1972.

Lavigne died Friday as a warrant was being made for his arrest in the case. Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said they believed they had enough evidence from interviews with Lavigne to have convicted him. Lavigne told investigators he had assaulted Croteau and left him on the riverbank.

The group -- Road to Recovery -- held a rally outside the Diocese of Springfield to call for the release of its files on Lavigne as well as all files on sexual abusers among its clergy.

Officials want the State Attorney General and the Hampden County DA to subpoena those files.

Church officials say they have complied with all requests for information by investigators in the past.


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