BishopAccountability.org
	Bishop: 11 Complaints Filed against Lee By Ann Fisher keepMEcurrent January 13, 2009 http://www.keepmecurrent.com/organization/story.cfm?storyID=62257 LYMAN (Jan 13, 2009): A total of 11 complaints were reported against the Rev. Thomas Lee, the former pastor of St. Philip Parish in Lyman, according to the Diocese of Portland. Reacting to public pressure, the Diocese on Monday released the specific number of people believed to be victims of Lee. The information was released "to give the community perspective on the case and to support complainants who say they have been criticized by their community for making a report of sexual abused," said Sue Bernard, communications director for the Diocese, in a news release Monday. Bernard said the Diocese of Portland had received nine direct and two second-hand reports involving a total of 14 individuals, all from the Boothbay Harbor area, where Lee served from 1971-1985. The reports involved issues of inappropriate touching or privacy violations, she said. There were no reports from Lyman, where Lee was priest from 1985-2003. Until Monday the diocese would only say that there were "more than two" reports of abuse that took place in the early 1980s in Boothbay Harbor. Bishop Richard Malone has been criticized by victims' advocacy groups, specifically Paul Kendrick of Maine Voice of the Faithful, for not releasing the exact number of people who reported allegations of abuse to the diocese. According to Kendrick, victim Marie Tupper of Boothbay has been ostracized by some members of the Boothbay Harbor community for her assertion that her son was a victim of abuse at Lee's hands. Malone has appealed to the Vatican a decision by a church court, which found the accusations against Lee were not proven. Lee, 81, was removed from ministry more than five years ago when an investigation opened regarding the complaints. "Malone is calling on the community to be understanding to all involved, most especially those who have made reports," said Bernard. "He continues to encourage anyone who has been sexually abused by a Church representative to make a report to civil and Church authorities." The Reporter Ann Fisher can be reached at 207-854-2577 or by e-mail at afisher@keepmecurrent.com.
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