Diocese of Fall River priest placed on administrative leave over alleged misconduct

FALL RIVER (August 7, 2022) – In a communication from Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., read at Masses this weekend (Aug. 6-7), parishioners of Transfiguration of the Lord Parish in North Attleborough were informed that their pastor has been placed on leave from priestly ministry.

Reverend Rodney E. Thibault was placed on administrative leave last week by the bishop for an investigation into alleged misconduct that is inconsistent with standards of ministerial behavior and in direct violation of the Code of Conduct for priests in the Diocese of Fall River. The alleged misconduct does not involve a minor.

As a priest on leave, he is not permitted to exercise public ministry nor present himself as a priest in public settings.

In his communication, Bishop da Cunha acknowledged how “distressing” this turn of events is for parishioners of the parish and assured them of his prayers during this difficult time.

The bishop also announced that Reverend Michael Ciryak will serve as temporary administrator of the parish.

Father Thibault is a Diman graduate who was first assigned to North Attleborough in 2019 as pastor of the town’s three former parishes. Those three parishes were merged into one to form the Transfiguration of the Lord Parish in 2020.

The Diocese of Fall River encourages anyone with concerns regarding the conduct of any priest, staff or volunteer affiliated with the Diocese to contact Carolyn Shipp, the diocesan Director of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance at 508-985-6508 or by email at cshipp@dioc-fr.org.