By J.M. Hirsch, Associated Press, 4/27/02

| Complete coverage |  AG'S REPORT Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly released the results of a 16-month investigation into clergy sex abuse in the Boston archdiocese. Download report [PDF, 1.4 MB] (File requires Adobe Acrobat)  TODAY'S GLOBE A new leader reaches out 3 faces in crowd bound in hopeh At BC, students watch with awe O'Malley's homily reveals frank man Near cathedral, voices of protest 'Good priests' moved to tears Text of Archbishop O'Malley's homily Sandwiches, chips were bill of fare An angry protest, and prayers  GRAPHICS The moment of installation Viewer's guide Ceremony TV coverage  Processional O'Malley's vestments O'Malley's coat of arms Cathedral of the Holy Cross  REALVIDEO | NECN.com | Help with video | O'Malley to be installed today Great expectations of O'Malley Video clips require RealPlayer and Windows 98 or higher.  INTERACTIVE FEATURE An interactive timeline of the developing church crisis, featuring photos and audio.   View timeline  IN-DEPTH Boston's new archbishop Bishop Sean Patrick O'Malley has been chosen to succeed Cardinal Law as leader of the archdiocese. Reaction to O'Malley appointment Accused priests are vindicated Three priests have been exonerated after being suspended from their posts over abuse allegations.  CARDINAL BERNARD LAW Coverage of his resignation Career timeline: Priest to cardinal Changing statements on abuse Coverage of his tenure in Boston Photos: Law through the years Boston.com readers' comments  CONTACT SPOTLIGHT If you have information on child abuse by priests, call (617) 929-3208 Or leave a confidential message at this number (617) 929-7483 The Spotlight Team e-mail address is spotlight@globe.com.

PELHAM, N.H. -- Bishop John McCormack urged St. Patrick parishioners to support their priest with letters and prayers Saturday in a speech that made no direct mention of the boy the Rev. Edward Richard is accused of abusing.

The Diocese of Manchester placed Richard on leave Monday, the day after learning he was under criminal investigation for the alleged sexual abuse of a boy in the 1980s. Richard has not been charged, but law enforcement officials confirmed the investigation Friday.

In Pelham, where Richard has served since 1988, several hundred parishioners jammed into the church to hear McCormack, who opened the service by notifying them of Richard's removal and saying it made his "heart heavy" to bear sad news.

"These are difficult days for our church already, and this information only adds to our wounds," he said. "But let us remember this is a wound, and it can heal."

McCormack said the Diocese is supporting Richard and urged the parishioners to do the same.

"What I'd like to assure you, is that while he's on administrative leave, he will be supported by the Diocese," he said. "He already has legal counsel and psychological and pastoral care to help him deal with these devastating accusations."

"I encourage you to drop him a line and tell him how much he means to you, because during this time he needs your support," he said.

McCormack also asked the congregation to pray for Richard and others, but he did not directly mention victims of abuse.

"I ask you to pray for Father Ed, pray for the members of the parish who are devastated. Pray for our church in New Hampshire that is also facing this," he said. "Let us pray for all people involved in these matters. I ask you also to pray for me. Let us also pray for the civil authorities ... that they will conform to God's will."

Asked by a reporter later why he didn't mention Richard's alleged victim, McCormack said the victim was included in the prayers for "all people involved."

He insisted he did not deliberately avoid references to the boy.

"I can see where you'd interpret it this way, but it wasn't meant that way," he said. "It was meant to include the victim and all the other people affected by this. I think we should pray for the victims."

During his speech, McCormack assured parishioners that church officials take the allegations seriously, but reminded them that Richard should be considered innocent until authorities determine whether they are true.

He also offered praise for Richard.

"His generous and warm priestly heart has served many people here and in other towns as well," he said.

Prior to moving to Pelham in 1988, Richard served at Our Lady of Mercy in Merrimack from 1973-1982, and helped found St. John Neumann, also in Merrimack, where he served from 1982 until going to Pelham.

McCormack said church officials did not publicize Richard's removal earlier in the week because he wanted to inform parishioners himself during weekend services.

Joyce McDevitt, who leads a women's group for the church, described Richard as her "best friend," and said she is helping organizing a town-wide prayer service in his honor because "the whole town is grieving."

"He's done everything for this parish. He worked with the children, even the public school children," she said. "He is the best thing that ever happened to Pelham."

After Saturday's service, she passed out blue ribbons with a note asking parishioners to wear them in support of Richard.

"He has given us 14 years of his life. We need to rekindle his belief in himself. He has called us his family. Now is the time to rally to his side and let him know we truly are family for him."

Richard was one of two New Hampshire priests removed from duty in recent days. The Rev. George Robichaud -- pastor of St. Cecilia's in Wolfeboro and St. Joan of Arc in Alton -- was charged Friday with assaulting a child between the ages of 13 and 15 in Sanbornton, where Robichaud lives.

The boy was an altar boy at St. Anthony's Church in Swanzey, where Robichaud was assigned at the time, in 1985.