Jan 31 2020 When I Became Free

January 31, 2020 WHEN I BECAME FREE Page 5
Fall River Diocese Suspends
Retired Priest From Ministry on
Allegations of Sexual Abuse
PRESS RELEASE
FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS
FALL RIVER(January 26, 2020) – The Diocese of Fall River today announced the
suspension of retired priest Father Herbert T. Nichols for an allegation of sexual abuse of
a minor, alleged to have occurred approximately 20 years ago. The decision to suspend him
was made based on information learned from a review of the personnel files of diocesan
priests.
The allegation, which Father Nichols denies,
is under investigation by the Diocese.
As a retired priest, he was not assigned to any
parish but did help with the celebration of
Masses in various parishes since retirement, including
with the Maronite community within the
Diocese. His suspension precludes him from all
ministry until the investigation is completed and
a determination on the matter is made.
Last year the Fall River Diocese hired an independent
consultant to complete a comprehensive
evaluation of its priestly personnel files, and Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.,
informed parishioners that a list of credibly accused clergy would follow. The Diocese suspended
some priests in response to information gathered during the file evaluation pending
further investigation, as required under its policies.
“The task of evaluating all of the files and the response needed on our part as a result
of the findings have, regretfully, taken more time than first thought,” said Bishop da
Cunha. “It is crucial that we take the time and perform the diligence necessary to compile
a list that is accurate and complete, and we continue to do so.”
“I understand that these recent announcements regarding the suspensions of priests are
upsetting to our diocesan community of faith and often bring renewed pain to victims of
sexual abuse especially victims of sexual abuse by clergy,” added Bishop da Cunha. “I
continue to pray for our brothers and sisters who have suffered greatly.”
As part of ongoing efforts to improve its Office of Safe Environment, the Diocese recently
hired Carolyn Shipp, a licensed social worker, to focus on pastoral outreach to victims/survivors.
“As a social worker, I am here to listen to anyone with concerns and to
connect survivors to the resources they need,” said Shipp.
Anyone with information that they wish to raise regarding the conduct of any past or
present member of the Diocese, is encouraged to contact Carolyn Shipp, the Diocese’s
Victim Assistance Coordinator, at 508-985-6508 or cshipp@dioc-fr.org
Background:
Father Herbert T. Nichols
Ordained 1975
Parish Assignments: St. Ann Parish, Raynham; St. Joseph Parish, Taunton; St. Mary Parish,
Taunton; St. Anne Parish, Fall River; St. Joan of Arc Parish, Orleans; St. Anne Parish, Fall
River; St. James Parish, New Bedford; Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, New Bedford; St.
Anthony of Padua Parish, New Bedford; St. Bernadette Parish, Fall River; retirement
2015. Father Nichols also served in ministry in New York as a member of the Franciscan
Friars of the Renewal community.
Mother, Suspected Cult Member,
Fails to Meet Deadline in
Producing Missing Children
BY EVA MARIE WOYWOD
WHENIBECAMEFREE@GMAIL.COM
On December 20, 2019 the Rexburg, Idaho Police Department issued a release in regard
to two children believed to be missing. Since that time an investigation has ensued
however details are sketchy as they are sealed by the courts. The missing children are 7-
year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan.
According to reports police have said Lori Vallow and her new husband, Chad Daybell,
have lied about the children's whereabouts including their existence.
Chad Daybell allegedly told one person that Vallow had no kids. Vallow, herself, allegedly
told another person that her daughter had died more than a year earlier.
CBS News reported that case spans multiple states and includes additional investigations
into three separate deaths: Lori Vallow's estranged husband, Charles Vallow, was
shot and killed in Phoenix in July by Lori's brother, Alex Cox. Cox, claimed the shooting
was in self-defense, died of unknown causes in December.
Then in August, Vallow moved her family to Idaho. In October, Daybell's wife, Tammy
Daybell, died of what her obituary said was natural causes.
They went on to report that Daybell married Lori Vallow just two weeks after Tammy's
death, law enforcement became suspicious and ultimately had Tammy Daybell's remains
exhumed.
The test results on Tammy Daybell's remains and on those of Alex Cox haven't been
released.
Adding more fears is the case also involves rumors of a cult. Vallow reportedly believes
she is "a god assigned to carry out the work of the 144,000 at Christ's second coming in
July 2020," according to divorce documents filed by Charles Vallow. Daybell has written
several apocalyptic novels based loosely on Mormon religious theology. Both were involved
in a group that promotes preparedness for the biblical end-times.
The initial December 20, 2019 press release from the Rexburg Police Department stated
that On Nov. 26, Rexburg Police tried to conduct a welfare check on Joshua Vallow, Lori
Vallow’s adopted 7-year-old special needs son, at their home at 565 Pioneer Road in
Rexburg. Relatives outside of Idaho had requested the check because they hadn’t spoken
to Joshua since September.
Rexburg investigators spoke with Vallow and Daybell, who said Joshua was staying
with a family friend in Arizona. That turned out to be a lie, Turman said.
On Nov 27, Rexburg police executed search warrants at locations in Rexburg associated
with Vallow, in an attempt to locate Joshua. As the search warrants were being executed,
investigators determined that Vallow and Daybell had abruptly left their home and
Rexburg. Police do not believe the children were with them when they left.
Investigators also determined Joshua last attended school at Kennedy Elementary in
Rexburg on Sept. 23. Additionally, investigators learned Vallow has a 17-year-old daughter,
Tylee Ryan, who was living with Vallow in Rexburg. The teen has not been seen since
September either.
The parents were eventually located, vacationing in Hawaii.
Since the time of the initial release Vallow was ordered to produce the children by January,
30th. CBS News is reporting now that her failure clears the way for a judge to potentially
hold Lori Vallow in contempt of court, a legal move that could allow prosecutors
to seek to have her extradited from Hawaii to Idaho to face charges.
"The only word coming to mind right now is 'monster,"' Kay Woodcock, JJ's grandmother,
said during a news conference on Thursday evening. "All this has just been very
disheartening. ... I'm a lot less optimistic at the moment."
Earlier on Thursday the grandfather, Larry Woodcock appeared on Good Morning
America: "I don't know who that person is anymore," stated Woodcock in reference to the
children's mother Lori Vallow. "I don't understand how you lose the love for one of the
most kindest young man. He's seven years old, but he's my little man."
As for the references to Vallow being a member of a doomsday cult, those specifics
are vague. A doomsday cult is an expression used to describe cults which believe in apocalypticism
and millenarianism, and can refer both to groups that predict disaster, and to
those that attempt to bring it about to destroy the entirety of the universe (Wikipedia)