Most ridiculous allegation i have ever heard. James is probably the last person on earth who would hurt a fly. I have known this guys for years.Sad to see that instead of sticking up for this guy the parish just put him on leave because some nutcase conveniently remembered this happened at a time the Plymouth church's funds are wide open. In some days the case will be cleared and no one will cover that story. Sucks that becoming a priest means having to deal with this crap. James we are with you!

James don't worry about what these people are saying because we all know that you are not involved in this mess. It's very easy nowadays for women to come in and accuse people especially priests of such allegations. If anyone knows James, they know that he would never do such a thing. She thinks this is going to be an easy way of getting her money, but think again because even though the church put him on leave, he has enough people behind him to support him all the way. James we will help you get through this!!

Hopefully anyone, who may have knowledge or may have been harmed by Fr James E. Braley, will have the courage to come forward and report it to police, not church officials.

Keep in mind your silence only hurts, and by speaking up there is a chance for healing, exposing the truth, and therefore protecting others. Also know that you are not alone, and there is hope and help.

Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, USA, 636-433-2511
snapjudy@gmail.com
"Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests" and all clergy.
http://www.snapnetwork.org/

gee Judy, what ever happened to "innocent until proven guilty?" I agree with the folks that he is innocent and money as usual is the culprit here

Donna, Judy has an agenda. Anyone who knows Father Braley as well as I do knows this never, ever happened. Unfortunately, today's social environment has made it all too easy to falsely accuse priests. Rest assured no other "victims" of Father Braley will come forward, because they don't exist, including the person who made this false allegation. I pray he finds peace knowing that there are so many people praying for him as he deals with this needless assault on his reputation and life's work.

I agree. You're innocent until proven guilty. If he is proven guilty, then shame on him. If he's innocent, then shame on the accuser.

I'm not a theologian, but it seems to me that if there is a special place in Hell for priests who have abused children, that place should be right next to the place for people who falsely accuse priests to get at the church's money.
But I doubt Judy believes in any such place.

It looks like the Catholic Church's Hierarchy propoganda has taken hold over these past ( 8 ) years. Let us take the focus off of the sexual abuse of children by priests and make it about the money. This is a nationwide travesty that is still being covered up by the Catholic Church. Why are priests still being transferred rather than prosecuted? Why haven't the current statute of limitation laws been revised so these priests can be prosecuted? There is no other recourse for these victims.

Here is the biggest travesty of all. You have a generation of children who recognize the hypocricy of the Catholic Church. They have decided not to attend church with their parent's consent. The church elders, who should be speaking out against this, remain silent. Those that should be really speaking out, the priests themselves, those who knew of these abuses, still remain silent to this day. There is no local leadership in the church to follow because of their silence. So, the result is, the priests have lost the faith and support of the laity because of it.

I too have known Fr. Braley for years now, albeit on a very casual basis. It is very unsettling that someone would come forward 30 or so years later with such an allegation, if there weren't some truth to it. While outwardly Fr. Braley seems to be a warm, socially balanced and sincere person, one does not always get to see other aspects of a personality that may be hidden. You can "know" someone for years and not realize that they are a wife beater, for instance. One takes great pains to hide undesirable aspects of themselves for obvious reasons. While I hope it is not true for all those who have trusted Fr. Braley and welcomed him to so many of their important life events, I can't help but wonder, why now?

Susan, if you want to know "why now", it's because someone thinks the church has an open check book. Fr. Braley has a groundswell of support from his home parish. Mark, you need to catch up. Sometimes it IS about the money. And the Church's policy is not to transfer or cover up. Since the problems began over a decade ago, they place anyone accused on administrative leave pending investigation. And your phrase "..so these priests can be prosecuted?" Sounds like you have it all figured out. You don't. You don't have a clue.

A forty year old woman walks into chancery, the main offices of the Archdiocese of Boston and makes an acusation against Father Jim.The acusation is he did something to her over 30 years ago . Mind you, no proof, just an accusation.Immediate protocal for the church is to put the priest on administrative leave and procede to destroy everything he has worked for for over 35 years by plastering his picture and name all over the media. The Archdiocese of Boston does not have the common decency to check out the allegations before they move forward, they destroy a mans life and then they start there preliminary investigation. You would think if you worked for an organization and dedicated your life to the cathlic church they would at least put a little effort into seeing if there is any truth to this.

As far as I'm concerned the catholic church has the responsibility to stand behind their Preist. Innocent until proven guilty. Is father John on PAID administered leave ?
If not it will certainly confirm my opine the church thru him under the bus., The church has failed us. The hierarchy has no courage., Father Jim is innocent until proven guilty whether it be beyond a reasonable doubt or a perponderance of the evidence. Have faith my friends Father Jim will be back. .....Rich

To M. Kendrick ... How can you make such a naive statement that the Church is not about transferring pedophile priests or covering up? Have you been living in a bubble? To support my assertions, please go to BishopAccountability.org. Maybe after reading article after article of how Catholic Bishops, many who are still part of the U.S Bishops Council, had covered up the transfer of pedophile priests between parishes, to only have these same priests sexually abuse more children, may enlighten you to a problem that still exists within our church today. Pedophiles don't just stop being pediophiles. Talk about someone not having a clue. Do your homework before making accusations. Read the verbiage in the Catholic Church settlement agreements themselves. It is not about the Catholic Church Hierarchy protecting children, it is about them protecting themselves.

Mark Damian - I want to make the point that my children still attend religious instruction. I made sure that my children were safe before I enrolled them. This decision was made so that my children could grow up with faith. Faith they must draw upon as adults. The Catholic Church has subverted this grave issue through their continued propoganda and posturing. They make themselves look like that they are the victims in all of this. They say it is all about the money. If that were true, why haven't they lobbied for and end to the statute of limitations on these pedophile priests so they could be prosecuted? Again, these are not unsubstantiated claims. Read the actual documents on Bishop Accountability.org. The only way that can gain back the respect of the laity is that the priests themselves must step forward and expose the cover up. The elders in the church must lead the charge. Otherwise, we shouldn't complain when another church closes. Remember, The Catholic Church Hierarchy are stewards of our religion, they do not own our religion. The Catholic Church is counting on our apathy to this situation while they look for empathy.

M Kendrick – Let’s clarify some points. You paraphrased a statement of mine “ so these priests can be prosecuted”. My statement was “ why hasn't the Catholic Church lobbied for an “ end to the statute of limitations on child abuse “ so these pedophile priests could be prosecuted? You also refer to my “ knee jerk assumption that every accused priest is a predator. Those are your words, not mine. Let’s look at the statements you’ve made. “ The reason why the victims are coming out now is because someone thinks the church has an open check book “. Do you think there could be a psychological aspect to why these victims have taken so long to come out? … “ And the Church's policy is not to transfer or cover up”. There are numerous examples since 2004 in where the church has covered up and transferred pedophile priests between parishes and out of state. You also keep referring to their " stated policy "( John Jay Report ) . There is no outside entity overseeing and ensuring their compliance to this policy. Please refer to Bishop Accountability.org. The facts have been well documented. On a personal note, I was married by a Monsignor with over 60 years service and a pillar in the community. He baptized my children. He was found to be pedophile and stripped of his duties. That doesn’t mean that Father Braley is guilty. It just means that “ we all need to keep an open mind” and have respect for everyone’s opinion besides our own.

Its sad to say but these days, ANYONE can say ANYTHING, and completely ruin someones reputation. It happens not only in the Catholic Church but everywhere. Allegations like these are hurtful and painful and the emotional scars last longer than physical scars. Everyone has the right of innocence until proven guilty!! I feel sad for all parties involved.

I just read someones reply to the statute of limitations and saying something like "emotional scarring can take 30yrs" well, I beg to differ unless of course the victim was drugged and had a 'vague' idea of what was happening but not sure then maybe under hypnosis it came out as a matter of fact, even though a lie detector is not the greatest tool I wonder how many would under go one to help verify their accusations.....I find it very difficult to believe that nothing was said prior to 30 yrs because of emotional scarring ...how were those individuals grades in school? his/her trust in adults growing up? did they find it difficult to hold down a job? just a couple of things that may mar their emotional status..and of course my favorite....didn't the parents notice ANYTHING UNUSUAL??? did the child become withdrawn? not want to go to church? and then of course how about the pediatricians...did they notice anything...how much do you want to bet that 30 yrs later most of their parents are deceased, pediatricians are deceased, and there is no one to veryify their emotional status at the supposed time of abuse...? 30 years is way too long to make these accusations...

I noticed someone posted earlier about a "40 year old woman" making the accusations. While I have heard through the grapevine it is a woman making the accusations, I didn't see it written anywhere in this article or any other article I've read. Please tell us what else you know JP
Donna,you are a closed minded holier than thou know it all. Who are you to say that the accusations must be false because the victim waited 30 years to come forward? And then to claim that any adults that were in contact with the accuser are most likely dead by now?!? Where is the logic?
Back in the 70s most kids I knew were still taught to respect and defer to adults and especially adults in positions of authority...cops, teachers.......priests. Maybe this kid was afraid his/her parents wouldn't believe the accusations (especially if the kid had a mother like you) Maybe the kid feared ridicule or beatdowns from his/her peers if word ever got out. There are so many reasons why a kid would keep his/her mouth shut. Maybe this person felt he/she could come out now after the Penn State story went public? Or on the flip side of that,maybe that's exactly why this victim held his/her story in for 30 years.
Catholic priests have been taking advantage of children (mostly boys) for hundreds of years. They wear out their welcome at one parish and are transferred to another to try and brush things under the rug. It's a vicious cycle. Some of their favorite targets are young boys from fatherless families.

---one more thing...doesn't seem to take 30 years for a child to say he/she was molested by a parent though does it? could it be a money factor???? hmmm

Is it possible to lessen one's credibility after standing up for a catholic priest accused of child molestation and tearing apart his accuser ?? Ahhhhhh yes, admitting you have never met the priest and don't know him from a hole in the wall. Atta girl Donna !

I am sorry you misunderstood my comments, all I am saying is that if it happened it should never have taken so long to come forward...I have never said once that it did not happen...but I do that after 30 yrs of holding such a thing inside is a bit long. Doesn't seem to make children abused by a parent that long now does it?

Donna, I didn't misunderstand any of your statements. Your intent and thought process is clear. I know the accused and I know how he and other priests operated in the 70's and early 80's. That's why I find these accusations believable. I am now 50 years old and I have never spoken to anyone about the things I saw as a teenage boy. Not to anyone in my family nor to any of my friends. I find it troubling that people are blindly sticking up for him and questioning why victims would keep quiet for 30 years. It's this mentality that has enabled priests to perpetuate their manipulation of children. Have you ever known a WWII or Vietnam War combat veteran who took his stories to the grave ? Sometimes something so horrible happens to a person, they just can't talk about it. Your mind is open enough to grasp that in the USA, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Why not open it up to the possibility that the victim is telling the truth and was unable to speak about it until now.

Manassas Ave, you have misunderstood me. As I have said and will continue to say, the individual is innocent until proven guilty. I am 61 years old so there is no need to preach to me about how things where in those times. I lived it . I have never said that it did not happen, all I am saying is that it is taking far too long to come forward and in my eyes this gentleman of the church is innocent until proven guilty. My father was in Germany during WWII and my husband died as a result of the Vietnam War...they spoke of things...but not constantly, but being close to these people (hence my theory of family being aware of something different) I asked questions...AND got answers. You don't have to agree with me sir, but I am entitled to my opinion and will continue to think the way I do until proven wrong which you have not . Thirty years is way too long and there should be a statute of limitations...again...my opinion...

Donna, I will apologize if I offended you by the "mother like you" comment if you open your mind a little. I dont know you and I don't know anything about your mothering skills or if you even have children. However, your posts do give me some insight into your thought processes. I trust you understand I am not attacking you. I chose to respond to you because you were the most opinionated poster and you came right out and said you didn't know the accused. I give you credit for admitting that.
As far as either of our professions go, I don't think that really matters. I know lots of people who are employed in professions other than their fields of study or expertise. I also believe that life experience is as good a gauge of knowledge, if not better, than years of book study.

Good day

Do you post on any other websites protecting accused child molesters and questioning their accusers ?
My point here is.....why are you even commenting on this article when you know nothing about the people involved ? You are a blowhard. Now I know I won't have to extend my apology.

If you do have 15 year old children, or grandchildren, make sure you tell them to say no when your local priest offers to take them to their favorite watering hole in Watertown Square for Harvey Wallbangers.

PS.............I gaurantee you don't even know where Manassas Ave is

does it really matter whether or not I know the involved people to state how I feel about this situation? does it really matter whether or not I know where Manassas Ave is either? I am not asking for your apology and nor do I want it...you seem to me like a spoiled brat a "its my way or no way" type of person. I have three grown kids all in their 30's very well adjusted with great careers. What does that have to do with my opinion on this...sorry...I still say thirty years is a long time for no statute of limitations for anything other than murder...again...this site is for opinions and that is what I gave and stand by.

I realize the comment feature is accessible to the public so anyone can write anything here. When I read through the comments on a particular artice that I am interested in, I hope to find commentary that is germane to the story and possibly based on fact. If I want to read opinion on the foundation of the judicial system, I'd go to a forum where people are discussing "innocent until proven guilty". As far as I know, this man hasn't been charged yet with a crime related to the accusations. He's only been suspended by the Archdiocese of Boston. The reason he's been suspended so quickly is because of the recent exposure of an inordinate amount of Catholic priests being accused and convicted of sexual abuse. The Catholic church suspending a priest for being accused of sexual abuse is equivalent to MLB suspending players accused of steroid use. There is nothing legal or binding about it. The reason I tie these 2 things together is because I find it preposterous that both orginaztions act as though they have legal authority to handle these issues as though they were a court of law.

So, what your now saying is that there IS a possiblity this man may be innocent and your not condemming him? I was not accusing the accuser of not telling the truth same as I am not saying the priest is innocent. The thing that gets me is the length of time between the incident and the accusation. I agree about what you say about the MLB completely...but I do feel in the case of a possible child abuser that he/she should be taken out of the "arena" so to speak to be sure it does not happen again i -- if indeed it actually did, until proven one way or the other. This is an opinion of mine and you are entitled to your opinion...we do not agree --at least we didn't agree a bit ago, and so be it...and I still say 30 yrs in the past is way too long and there should be a statute of limitations.

Donna may not know Fr. Braley, but I do know him and his family extremely well since long before this alleged incident took place. Anyone who has known him as long and as well as I know that the allegations are false. Who knows what the motivation is to make such an accusation after so many years? Perhaps the accuser is confused. Only the Church even knows who she is at this point. I am totally confident, however, that when all is said an done, there will be no proof that that this alleged incident ever took place. When that becomes clear, I can only hope that Fr. Braley gets his life back as he knew it. One wonders if the media and the Church will vindicate him as publicly as it implicated him before he even had a chance to defend his reputation.

I hope for his sake what you say about him is true ..all I have said all along is that people jump to quick to condem and thirty years is way too long after the accusation. There should be a statute of limitaions. I can only hope that when and if he is cleared of all this that he may return to a normal life and that the church and paparazzi apologize as publicly as they have accused him. sad, very sad.

I truly wish the press and Church will vindicate a falsely accused priest as publicly as when they make cases public. Neither has a history of doing that however, in my opinion. As for a statute of limitations, I don't necessarily agree. A child can be be so traumatized that he or she may not speak up. Take Scott Brown, who took the route of silence. The difference is that Brown did not accuse anyone in particular. That is what is so odd about this case. No one anywhere has ever had anything other than glowing comments about Fr. Braley, The accuser has had many, many years as an adult to lodge a complaint. So far, we have a very good man by all accounts being accused of some act by an unidentified person. I would hope the Church would want to get to the bottom of this as expeditiously as possible for all parties concerned.

Manassas, I DO have a better argument than “he’s a great guy.” He is a man with a reputation of unimpeachable character until a nameless person (nameless to everyone but the Church at this point) accused him. If you have first-hand knowledge of Fr.Jim, then you know that to be true. And if you have first-hand knowledge of the accuser, then you know more than anyone else except the Church. So I don’t know what kind of “first-hand knowledge” you have, but if it is of a general nature about the way the Church has handled situations like these in the past, that has no relevance to this case.

M Kendrick ,this last response from you was put very well...I agree wholeheartedly

M Ken if you read all my posts(I read every word of every post here before I entered my first comment)you might notice Ive indicated I know Father Jim personally. That is the only reason I am following the story. I dont feel its appropriate for me to air out details on this site. I havent yet and I wont. All I will say is my experiences with him go back to the mid 70's when I was a young teenage boy and he was a newly ordained priest.
My original reason for posting is very clear and I wont get into it again. I will, however, reiterate, I find Susan to be the voice of reason in this thread. She is the only person here who knows Father Jim personally yet her mind remains open to the possibilty that these accusations could hold water. Read her comments again and I think you'll see that while she knows the good father, and by all accounts her experiences with him have never given her reason to think him other than a morally upstanding citizen, she is rational enough to realize that sometimes you cant judge a book by its cover. That has been my point throughout.
In closing, I will say again, I saw a lot of things back in the 70's that I will probably take to the grave. Why does someone come forward after 30 plus years to accuse someone of sexual abuse? I cant answer that. Is this person looking for money,I dont know? Maybe the accuser needs to close a chapter in his/her life? If the accusations are true, there should be no limitation as to when a victim may come forward.

Manassas, I have read your posts, and I am stuck on two sentences. Perhaps you would like to reword it or retract them but here is what you said:

"I don't mind people supporting a friend but I wish they would have a better argument than "he's a great guy". All I am saying is that from the first hand knowledge I have, I wouldn't be surprised if the accusations are true."

First of all, it's not "just a friend" I am supporting. I know him and his family far better than that. I take real exception to your second statement, because if you really do have "first hand knowledge" of Fr. Jim, far from being not being "surprised if the accusations are true," you would be totally and utterly flabbergasted. From the first hand knowledge I have, I would be totally astonished if there is a scintilla of truth to the accusations...the details of which also have not been made public. Meanwhile, a nameless, faceless accuser has put Jim's life on hold and besmirched the good name he has built over a lifetime. Nothing has happened since the accusation first came out. Jim deserves to face his accuser so he can try to piece his life back together and clear his name. Now if you still "wouldn't be surprised" if the accusations are true, then I will continue to take exception to your opinion.