BishopAccountability.org
	Local Priest Removed from Ministry Troy Record August 16, 2008 http://www.troyrecord.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20020537&BRD=1170&PAG=461&dept_id=7021&rfi=6 ALBANY - A pastor of Sacred Heart and St. William parishes in Troy, who was been on administrative leave since January pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor, was permanently removed by the Albany Diocese Friday. Rev. Gary Mercure, 60, served since his ordination 33 years ago in the Troy parishes, St. Mary's in Clinton Heights, Our Lady of Assumption in Latham, Our Lady of Annunciation in Queensbury, St. Teresa of Avila in Albany and St. Mary's in Glens Falls. Bishop Howard Hubbard announced the decision this week following a recommendation of the diocese's Sexual Misconduct Review Board that determined there were reasonable grounds to believe Mercure was guilty of sexually abusing a minor more than 20 years ago. As a result, Mercure is not permitted to function publicly as a priest, according to a statement from the Albany Diocese. The initial complaint against Mercure involved a youth at St. Teresa of Avila parish in the mid-1980s. Since January, other allegations against Mercure were received by the diocese. All have been turned over to law enforcement officials. Since 1950, the Albany Diocese has removed 22 priests from ministry after finding reasonable grounds that they sexually abused minors.
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