March 22, 2007 - Archdiocese of Boston Announces the Dismissal of Anthony J. Laurano and W. James Nyhan from the Clerical State
(Brighton, Massachusetts) March 22, 2007...The Archdiocese of Boston today announced that Anthony J. Laurano and W. James Nyhan have been dismissed from the clerical state. With these decisions by the Holy See, both men have ceased to receive any financial support from the Archdiocese and may no longer function as priests, with the exception of offering absolution to the dying.
Anthony Laurano, who retired in 1995, has been restricted from any public ministry since 2002 due to allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. As has been well-documented in the public domain, Mr. Laurano was indicted on two counts of child rape and was arraigned in Plymouth Superior Court in April 2005. In 2006, new charges were brought against him by the Plymouth District Attorney. W. James Nyhan, who was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston in 1973, was placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Boston in 2002 after the Archdiocese received an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Last year, Mr. Nyhan was convicted of criminal charges involving the sexual abuse of children while he served in Charleston, South Carolina more than 25 years ago.
With the conclusion of these cases, Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley stated, "For those who have been sexually abused by members of the clergy, I sincerely apologize for the suffering you and your families have endured. Sexual crimes perpetrated against children or vulnerable adults by priests are shameful and grievous. I remain committed to providing support for survivors and their loved ones who have experienced such profound emotional and spiritual suffering as a result of these depraved acts."
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