Warren, Massachusetts — Police records reveal that concerns about the behavior of then-Rev. Alan J. Martineau were brought to the attention of Bishop Robert Joseph McManus and other diocesan officials months before sexual abuse allegations against Martineau became public. A letter dated August 22, 2021, from the father of a teenage girl who later accused Martineau of inappropriate touching described a series of troubling incidents, including an alleged nighttime intrusion into the family’s home.
The letter, addressed to Bishop McManus, his deputy Rev. Richard Reidy, and Rev. James Mazzone, detailed what the father characterized as “increasingly disturbing” behavior by Martineau. Most notably, the father recounted an incident just after midnight when his son saw Martineau moving stealthily around their house on church property — behavior that deeply unsettled the family. Martineau told the boy he had entered the home to close windows ahead of rain, though the family disputed this explanation, noting Martineau had the family’s contact information and could have called.
The family’s home was situated on church grounds, affording Martineau considerable authority as their pastor, employer, and landlord. The father’s letter expressed frustration that prior efforts to address Martineau’s conduct appeared ineffective. Police records indicate that by that point, seven months had passed since the first warning signs, when a seminarian informed the girl’s father about an extensive exchange of text messages between Martineau and the girl, then aged 14 to 16.
Following the family’s confrontation of Martineau in early 2021, court documents describe a pattern of retaliation. Martineau allegedly threatened to evict a small school run by the victim’s father on church property, changed the locks to block access, and later shut off electricity and water to the school. Records state Bishop McManus intervened to allow the school to remain open until the end of the school year.
The Diocese of Worcester has maintained that the initial concerns raised were related to boundary issues and poor judgment, not sexual misconduct, and that official reports to state authorities were only made in January 2022 after a “credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor” emerged. That allegation involved inappropriate physical contact, including hugging that reportedly involved groin-to-groin contact. Investigators found that Martineau exchanged roughly 80,000 messages with the girl during the period in question.
Martineau was referred to prosecutors and charged, but in 2025 he reached a plea agreement admitting sufficient facts to sustain a conviction for assault and battery without admitting guilt, leading to dismissal of the case. His attorney characterized the criminal charges as weak. A request for a psychiatric evaluation as part of sentencing was denied by the judge.
Bishop McManus now faces a “vos estis” complaint submitted to the Vatican by the watchdog group bishopaccountability.org concerning his handling of the case. The complaint could prompt a formal investigation by church authorities. The Diocese of Worcester has pledged full cooperation with the Vatican inquiry while reiterating that they believe the case was managed appropriately.
Requests for comment from Reidy were not answered, and Martineau has not responded to inquiries. diocesan officials declined to comment on personnel matters related to the case.