Food Program Investigation Completed

July 14, 2022, WORCESTER, MA -- Following an investigation into various claims against Mr. William Riley and Rev. John Madden of inappropriate conduct with female patrons of the St. John Food Program in Worcester, a redacted report has been released today by the Diocese of Worcester. The independent investigation was conducted by Atty. Robert J. Hennigan Jr. of Worcester.

On July 13, 2022, Mr. Riley resigned from the program director position.

Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, announced that the investigation he authorized found that the claims against Fr. John Madden were not warranted. Fr. Madden is the pastor of St. John Parish, which runs the Food Program and a residential program called Harrington House. Those claims included that Father Madden was “aware of or complicit in the alleged conduct of Mr. Riley;” that he was “engaged in inappropriate conduct with female residents of Harrington House;” and that he inappropriately engaged in witness manipulation by paying money for the benefit of an individual who could be involved in this investigation and that he paid for her stay at a Southbridge residential program to gain her favor.

The independent investigation began on March 17 of this year and was completed on July 6. The investigation centered “primarily on numerous reviews of individuals either in person or by phone, with minimal documentary evidence to review.” Some interviews followed multiple efforts to contact individuals. In total, 85 individuals were contacted during the investigation. They included diocesan and parish staff, program volunteers, and men and women who are, or at one time were residents of Harrington House. Many of the people cooperated with the investigation while some either refused to participate or did not return phone calls.

Bishop McManus underscored that “this entire investigation has been very telling about the depth and breadth of charitable assistance that is offered to people in great need who are often forced to live on the streets of Worcester. I am grateful to the investigative efforts of Attorney Hennigan, and to all the staff, clients and claimants who cooperated with his extensive effort. I also want to publicly offer my appreciation to Fr. John Madden and St. John’s Parish for their many years of compassionate care for the clients who have come to these programs and continue to come in great numbers. For many of their clients and guests, there are few, if any, options for assistance. This process helps assure them and the community at large that we serve people in need always with respect for their dignity as our brothers and sisters in the Lord.”

He continued, “While the investigation did not find the claims against Fr. Madden to be warranted, we respect the courage that it took for the claimants to come forward with their complaints.”

The Diocese of Worcester takes all complaints of sexual abuse by clergy and lay people associated with the Diocese and its parishes and schools seriously and urges that a person who feels they have been or are being abused contact local police to file a complaint. That person can also notify the Diocese of Worcester by contacting its Victim’s Assistance Coordinator directly at 508-929-4363.

A redacted copy of the Food Program Investigation report is available online at worcesterdiocese.org. The redactions respect the privacy of the claimants and people who cooperated in the investigation as well as the employee in accordance with Massachusetts employment law.
LINK TO REDACTED REPORT