Priest Reported Missing Is Found Dead In Rectory

Police said a priest who was reported missing after he did not show up to say morning Mass was found dead in the closet of his rectory.

The body of 42-year-old Reverend Paul Archambault was found in the rectory of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish, where he lived. Sgt. Christopher Hitas said police are investigating the cause of death.

Mark E. Dupont, spokesman for the Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese, said Archambault said Mass at 4 p.m. Saturday at St. Mary's parish in Hampden, and was scheduled to return there Sunday morning. When he did not arrive, parish members contacted Sacred Heart, and a search was begun.

Archambault assisted with weekend Mass at St. Mary's and was chaplain for Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.