Msgr. Foster cleared of allegations, reinstated

By Meghan Dorney

The Archdiocese of Boston reinstated Msgr. Michael Foster to active ministry Oct. 30 for the second time, ending a two-month ordeal shrouded in uncertainty concerning the credibility of the allegation made against him.

“I’m really positive to be back,” said Msgr. Foster. “I was back at work on Monday and I’m glad to be back — especially celebrating the sacraments.”

“These months have been difficult for me,” said Msgr. Foster. “I am keenly aware that this painful experience has been shared by my family, brother priests, friends, parishioners and so many others. I am grateful for the prayers, love and support that I have received.”

Although the accusation against him proved unfounded, Msgr. Foster said that he did not want his experience to shed a negative light on all those who have been hurt by sexual abuse and have come forward.

 “I do not want my ordeal to overshadow the immense pain that so many children and youth have suffered from abuse,” he said. “Please remember that they are the ultimate victims of this crisis.”

Msgr. Foster stressed that since the day the allegations were made he has maintained that they were “totally false.” He also emphasized that the charges against him have been investigated twice and that he has been reinstated with no reservations.

The archdiocese’s investigation into allegations made against Msgr. Foster began in August when Paul Edwards, 35, filed a lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court accusing Msgr. Foster and the late Father William Cummings of molesting him in the early 1980s while he was a parishioner in two Newton parishes. Upon receiving the allegation, Msgr. Foster asked the archdiocese to place him on administrative leave.

Edwards claimed that while he was an altar boy, Msgr. Foster molested him repeatedly in a rectory bedroom at Sacred Heart Church in Newton between 1980 and 1985. His allegation lost credibility when The Boston Globe reported that Edwards had a history of fabricating stories and that several of Edwards’ friends had offered statements, which contradicted parts of his allegations.

Edwards also claimed that in 1982 the late Father Cummings had sexually abused him during an overnight visit to New York City sponsored by the Catholic Youth Organization at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Newton. However, others who had attended the annual trip reported that it was a day trip and did not involve a hotel or an overnight stay. Archdiocesan records also indicate that Father Cummings was not assigned to the parish until 1983.

Edwards’ lawyer, Eric Parker, asked to withdraw from the case due to issues that arose surrounding the allegation. The presiding judge, Suffolk Superior Court Judge Constance Sweeney stated that she had “significant concerns” about the credibility of the allegations. Edwards subsequently dropped his allegations against Msgr. Foster on Sept. 3.

Due to these inconsistencies, the archdiocese closed the investigation on Sept. 12 and reinstated Msgr. Foster. However, on Sept. 13 Edwards contacted the archdiocese directly to make a formal complaint and to offer new information regarding the allegation. Msgr. Foster went on administrative leave for a second time.

In accordance with the archdiocesan policy for handling allegations of sexual abuse, Bishop Walter Edyvean, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, ordered the Delegate of the Archbishop, who oversees archdiocesan investigations, to look into the new allegations made by Edwards.

Upon completion of its investigation, the Delegate presented his results to the review board which examines the Delegate’s findings and drafts a recommendation. Both bodies suggested that the case be closed and that Msgr. Foster be returned to active ministry without restriction. Based on these recommendations, Cardinal Law determined that the complaint made by Edwards was unsubstantial and closed the investigation.

Msgr. Foster was reinstated in his position as the Judicial Vicar and Presiding Judge of the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Boston.

“The archdiocese has completed a very thorough and, I believe, unprecedented investigation upon the positive recommendation of the Cardinal’s Delegate and Review Board,” said Msgr. Foster. “His Eminence has reinstated me to full ministry. I look forward to celebrating Mass publicly and resuming my duties as Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese.”

According to a statement issued by the archdiocese, “Cardinal Law and his associates will work with Msgr. Foster to restore his good name.” Cardinal Law also instructed the Delegate’s office to continue to provide appropriate pastoral care to all those involved in this situation.

Msgr. Foster, top canon lawyer for the archdiocese, is one of 24 priests to leave active ministry since February due to allegations of sexual misconduct. However, he is the only priest to be reinstated or officially notified that an investigation has been completed.

“I think that I’m only one of two cases in the entire country that the Church has closed,” said Msgr. Foster. “Going through the whole thing I hope I can add from my experience to what the archdiocese does when a person is accused and bring that experience as well as my knowledge of canon law to help the process because no matter who is accused its somewhat of a Herculean effort to prove your innocence so anything that I can add I hope to be able to.”

Msgr. Foster said that priests, who are now in situation similar to the one he was in, should not lose hope or give up, no matter how hopeless their situation may seem. He added that many other priests fear that they may someday be unjustly accused, but he said “don’t give into the fear; don’t let it overwhelm you.”

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