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Death Of Springfield Priest Ruled A Suicide

The death of a Roman Catholic priest in Springfield has been ruled a suicide. Police said Monday that the Rev. Paul Archambault died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His body was found Sunday at the Sacred Heart rectory.

Archambault said Mass at 4 p.m. Saturday at St. Mary's church in Hampden, and was scheduled to return there Sunday. When he did not arrive, parish members contacted Sacred Heart. Police say there was no note.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Springfield says Archambault was last publicly seen early Saturday night at Baystate Medical Center where he served as chaplain.

Bishop Timothy McDonnell said in a statement that the 42-year-old Archambault was "a good and pastoral priest, a caring chaplain, and a devout man" and prayed that God would relieve the "burdens he found unbearable."

He was ordained in 2005.

This program aired on July 5, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

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