Fall River Priest Removed Amidst Allegation of Sexual Misconduct

FALL RIVER — A Fall River priest has been removed from active ministry due to a "credible allegation of misconduct."

The Diocese of Fall River says Father Bruce Neylon, pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Fall River, has been accused of inappropriate sexual contact with a teenage boy in the early 1980s.

The victim, who was not a member of the parish where Neylon was assigned at the time, says the abuse did not take place on church grounds.

Fall River Bishop Edgar daCunha says in a press release that the diocese contacted a former Massachusetts State Police trooper to conduct an independent investigation after becoming aware of the accusation. The trooper reported his findings to the Diocesan Review Board, which also interviewed Neylon and the alleged victim.

Father Neylon denies the allegation.

The board determined the allegation to be credible and has referred the matter to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.