By J.M. Hirsch, Associated Press, 07/27/02

| 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.

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- A top official with the Diocese of Manchester told parishioners Saturday that the church did not try to cover up the circumstances of their priest's death, nor did it oust a potential whistle-blower.

The Rev. Edward Arsenault, the diocesan chancellor, addressed the congregation of St. Pius X, where the Rev. Richard Connors was assigned at the time of his death in November 1999.

Another priest has filed a lawsuit accusing Bishop John B. McCormack and other church officials of trying to keep him silent about a child pornography collection discovered in Connors' residence after his death. The Rev. James A. MacCormack alleges that church officials disposed of the pornography before police had an opportunity to see it and ruined his career as part of the alleged cover-up.

But Arsenault denied the accusations.

"There was not a cover-up of any criminal behavior, nor any cover-up of a hidden lifestyle," he said Saturday. "There is not nor has there ever been a relationship between or drawn between Father Dick's death and Father MacCormack's personal issues."

Arsenault said last week that adult homosexual pornography -- but no images of children -- were found in Connors' room. He told parishioners only that "inappropriate adult materials" were disposed of to spare them unnecessary pain.

"I'm sorry that the revelation of the disposal of this material has caused some people to question the intentions of Bishop McCormack and other priests," he said.

Arsenault also assured parishioners that he had read the police report on Connors' death, which said he died of natural causes at a Derry home where residents said he had gone to buy a dog. But Arsenault failed to mention that the report also said Connors was partially clothed and had a black leather device tied around his genitals at the time of death.

"I am angry and saddened that the circumstances of our friend Father Dick's death have been altered by some and interpreted incorrectly by others," he said.

Arsenault said he also is disturbed by the tactics of MacCormack's lawyer and that the diocese is considering "appropriate remedial action."

Last week, Arsenault said Connors was living an "immoral life." But on Saturday, he praised Connors as a dedicated and hard-working "priestly man who served us."