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	Priest Is Sentenced in Michigan for Abuse He Served Briefly in 2 Alton Parishes By Jennifer Kapiolani Saxton Belleville News-Democrat [Missouri] October 25, 2006 http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/news/local/15844015.htm Alton - A former Alton priest has been sentenced to five to 10 years in prison in Michigan after pleading no contest to child sex abuse charges. John Steven Rabideau, 45, was sentenced this week after pleading no contest to charges of abusing three male relatives in the late 1980s. Earlier this year, he was extradited from South America after being detained in Colombia. Rabideau was being held in the Bay County, Mich., jail Tuesday. He served briefly at two Alton Catholic churches -- St. Mary Immaculate Conception Church and St. Patrick's Church, which is now closed. The exact time in the early 1990s that Rabideau served in Alton was not available. "The diocese first became aware of this several months ago apparently when the charges surfaced in Michigan and he was out of the country," said Kathie Sass, communications director for the Diocese of Springfield. "At that time, Bishop Lucas contacted the pastors of those parishes where he served. An announcement was then made to the parish. Anyone with information or in need of help was urged to come forward." No one could be reached for comment at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Church. Rabideau was not a diocesan priest, but belonged to the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious order based in Boston. In February, members of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, handed out leaflets at St. Mary's. "Our goal was to find other victims and offer them help and help find more information that could help Michigan prosecutors either find witness or more victims," said David Clohessy, national director of SNAP. Contact reporter Jennifer Kapiolani Saxton at jsaxton@bnd.com or 345-7822, ext. 23.
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