Ten years ago, Haiti Conference Co-Chair, Bishop Richard Malone, told a pastor to lie to parishioners about why a priest who sexually abused children was suddenly leaving the parish

In addition, then Auxiliary Bishop Richard Malone never warned parents that their pastor, Rev. Dan Graham, is a child molester.


Bishop Richard Malone placed innocent children at risk of being sexually abused.

You are urged to view the Graham documents on BishopAccountability.org.

A copy of Bishop Malone's original memo can be found on pages 43-44 of the documents.

The memo is transcribed below:

________________________________________________________________________________

Archdiocese of Boston

Office of the Regional Bishop

MEMORANDUM

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

TO: Father Higgins

FROM: Bishop (Richard) Malone (initialed)

DATE: January 26, 2002

SUBJECT: Father Daniel Graham, Father Robert Monagle

I. Father Daniel Graham

I met this morning with Father Daniel Graham and informed him that, because of the new policy of the 

Archdiocese with regard to past instances of clergy sexual abuse of minors, Cardinal Law was asking 

him to resign as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Quincy, effective immediately.

I assured Father Graham that we are very aware that he has been giving excellent service as pastor of 

St. Joseph Parish and as vicar forane, and that absolutely no one is questioning the integrity of his 

behavior at this time. I told him that we know he had received very good psychological assessments and 

that the archdiocesan review board, under the former policy, had in the past agreed that he could 

appropriately serve in active ministry. I reiterated the recent change in the policy, and reminded him that 

the Cardinal has been giving the assurance that as far as we know, no priest with a past history of sexual 

abuse of a minor is currently serving in ministry in the Archdiocese of Boston.

While he was shocked with the suddenness of this decision, he seemed to understand the reason for it. 

He did not fight it in any way, but accepted it in a very sad but manly fashion.

I told Dan that he was not to appear at any Masses in the parish from this weekend on, despite the fact 

that it is Father Bob Monagle's good bye weekend.

I offered him the opportunity of being admitted to St. Elizabeth Medical Center this afternoon for a full 

health and pschological workup. I told him that the Cardinal had arranged for this with Dr. McDonald. 

Dan declined this option. He would prefer simply to go on health leave and move home with his elderly 

and ailing father. He did say that one good thing about this miserable situation is that he will now be able 

to attend better to his own health challenges, and also be able to spend more time with his father, whom 

he does not expect to live much longer. He expressed the hope that he might be able to celebrate his 

father's funeral Mass. After consultation with you, Father Higgins, I told him that I did not have an answer 

to that question at this time.

I also told Dan that it is important that he arrange right away with his own physicians to have a full 

examination, including the psychological dimensions. He nodded in agreement. He told me that only one 

priest, a close friend, Father John Malloy, knows of his past abuse allegation. He will be in contact with 

John about this recent development right away. I also assured him of the Cardinal's and my own care 

and esteem for him, and that we both find this to be a very painful thing. He appreciated that, and knows 

that we are willing to help him in any way that we
can.

I told Dan that I would be talking to Fr. Bob Monagle about this situation right away. Dan did not have a 

problem with that.

This was the most difficult thing I have had to do as a bishop and, perhaps, in 30 years as a priest. But, 

with God's grace, it is done.

II. Father Robert Monagle

After some difficulty, I was able to contact Father Robert Monagle. Because he was preparing to go to a 

burial, and I to a parish visitation, we had tom speak on the phone in a confidential manner. I informed 

him of my meeting ewith Dan Graham, and outlined for him what I had communicated to Dan. Bob had 

no knowledge whatsover of Dan's past abuse allegations. I explained that he and Dan should talk as 

soon as Bob returned from the burial, and determine what will be said to the parish during the weekend 

Masses. I recommended that they announce that because of some health problems, Dan has taken a 

health leave, effective immediately. That will later turn to retirement, but that should not be mentioned at 

this time.

Bob said there is no problem covering the weekend Masses, since there are several priests who assist 

at St. Joseph's. He needs no help at this time.