May 17, 2025 - Archdiocese Announces Msgr. Strahan to Return to Active Ministry as Senior Priest

The Archdiocese of Boston announced today that Rev. Msgr. Francis Strahan, former Pastor of St Bridget Parish in Framingham, has been cleared of civil and canonical allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. Msgr. Strahan, who is a senior priest, has been returned to public ministry.

On October 25, 2019, the Archdiocese announced that Msgr. Strahan had been placed on administrative leave, as a result of receiving an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor in approximately 2006. When the allegation was received in 2019, law enforcement was notified immediately, and consistent with Archdiocesan policies aimed at the protection of children, Msgr. Strahan was placed on administrative leave without any public ministry until the conclusion of the civil and canonical investigations.

In 2023, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office announced a decision to not pursue the case further. The Archdiocese was then able to complete the canonical investigation which found that the allegations did not have a semblance of truth, and therefore unsubstantiated.  These consistent findings allow Msgr. Strahan to return to public ministry. 

We recognize the significant impact this has had on Msgr Strahan, his loved ones, his parishioners and many priests. Allegations of abuse are often complex matters that take time and require the investigative bodies to be thorough and fair to all parties involved. It is during this process that allegations are weighed against the facts derived through investigation by secular law enforcement and by Archdiocesan investigators in keeping with canon law. The Archdiocese is committed to assisting Msgr Strahan who is at an advanced age and currently a senior priest. 

The Archdiocese of Boston is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and young people in our parishes and institutions and resolves each allegation of abuse of a minor in keeping with the Charter for the Protection of Children. Through its Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach, the Archdiocese continues to make counseling and other services available to survivors, their families and parishes impacted by clergy sexual abuse and by allegations of abuse by members of the clergy. The Archdiocese of Boston encourages any person in need of pastoral assistance or support to contact the Archdiocese’s Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach by calling 617-746-5985.