Frs. Bede Gorman and Geoffrey Chase implicated
by Donica Naylor (August 23, 2017)
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. — Leaders of the Portsmouth Abbey School and Monastery have released a report that contains “shameful news” of “credible allegations of sexual abuse” between 1959 and the early 1980s, and of corporal punishment in the ’60s and ’70s.
A letter emailed Wednesday to members of the Portsmouth Abbey community contained an apology to the victims of Father Bede Gorman, who died in 1985, and Father Geoffrey Chase, who is in his late 80s and is ill. He left the school in 2002, the letter said.
The letter — from Regents chairman W. Christopher Behnke ’81, Abbot Matthew Stark for the monks and Headmaster Daniel McDonough — also promised that Gorman’s name would be removed from the athletic fields, squash center and two annual prizes that had been named in his honor, and that the review of policies, safety protocols and training programs at the school would continue.
“We stand by those who were wronged, and are committed to helping past victims, providing therapy for them as needed.”
“Our hearts break for these victims and their families,” the letter said. “Their trust and faith in the sacred mission of Portsmouth was violated. On behalf of the Portsmouth Abbey School and Monastery, we apologize. And we honor and thank the survivors of sexual abuse who came forward. By sharing your stories, you have helped ensure that the past will not be repeated; the Portsmouth community is deeply in your debt.”
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