Albatross in Springfield finally forcibly laicized

Lavigne remains a lightning rod in the diocese. The Rev. James J. Scahill, of St. Michael’s Church in East Longmeadow, has been withholding the diocese’s portion of weekly collections since last year in protest of the diocese’s continued support of Lavigne.

Perhaps reflecting that controversy, Dupre stressed that any financial assistance for Lavigne beyond May 31 would come from “a special and separate fund, established by gifts from several donors for the expressed purpose of providing such assistance.”

Dupre also said that if Lavigne receives financial assistance, he must agree to oversight by a clergy monitor.