Christopher Joseph Weldon

Christopher Joseph Weldon (September 6, 1905 – March 19, 1982) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts from 1950 to 1977.

In 2020, an investigation by the diocese determined that an accusation of sexual abuse of a minor against Weldon was highly credible.

Biography

Early years Christopher Weldon was born on September 6, 1905, in the Bronx section of New York City to Patrick and Mary (née Dwyer) Weldon. After graduating from Public School 9 in Manhattan in 1918, he entered the Grand Seminary of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec. In 1924, Weldon returned to New York to study at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers. Weldon then completed his graduate studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. His first pastoral assignment was as assistant pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish in White Plains, New York, followed by a term at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mount Kisco, New York. He was buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Springfield. In June 2020, an investigation by retired Superior Court Judge Peter A. Velis found the victim's claim "to be unequivocally credible."

After Velis' findings were released, Rozanski asked Trinity Health of New England to remove Weldon's name from its rehabilitation center, the former Farren Memorial Hospital in Montague. Weldon's remains were disinterred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery and moved to a more secluded location in the cemetery. Rozanski ordered the removal of all photographs, memorials and other mentions of Weldon from all diocesan facilities, schools and churches.