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	Haverhill Priest Resigns Amid Allegations of Financial Improprieties By Jim Patten and Jill Harmacinski The Eagle-Tribune June 20, 2010 http://www.eagletribune.com/latestnews/x657337999/Haverhill-priest-resigns-amid-allegations-of-financial-improprieties HAVERHILL — A popular priest has resigned from St. John the Baptist Church amid allegations of financial improprieties. Parishioners attending Masses yesterday were told the Rev. Keith LeBlanc, church pastor, resigned effective Friday. "I know this is a shock to everyone. I do apologize," Deacon Thomas Anthony said at the 4 p.m. Mass yesterday. He urged parishioners to pray for "Father Keith" and said the priest "is where he should be, getting the help he needs." It was unclear yesterday exactly where LeBlanc had gone. An interim pastor is expected to arrive at the Lincoln Avenue parish this morning, possibly from a church in Peabody, Anthony said. In church yesterday, Anthony mentioned that he "drove" LeBlanc to the airport, and on the ride, spoke to him about how sometimes people are placed "on a pedestal." However, in our society, when these individuals fall, "it's a giant crashing fall," Anthony said. Details of the alleged improprieties were not immediately known. The Archdiocese of Boston "has given the parish its full support," Anthony said at Mass yesterday evening. Afterward, Anthony said Attorney General Martha Coakley's office and Haverhill police are involved in the investigation. He said he could not provide any further information and referred questions to the Archdiocese. In a press release issued yesterday, Archdiocese spokesman Terrence Donilon said the Archdiocese and the parish are "cooperating with law enforcement on an investigation of a financial nature. "Because this remains an active investigation, the Archdiocese will decline further comment at this time," the release said. According to an announcement at yesterday's morning Mass, LeBlanc was escorted by Catholic Church officials to Philadelphia, where they are conducting an investigation. An audit of church finances is being conducted, parishioners were told. Many parishioners were stunned by LeBlanc's abrupt departure. "Shock. Shock. I couldn't believe it. Just the fact that he resigned," said Mary Peel, a member of the parish for 37 years and current pastoral council member. "He's a good priest, a really good priest," said Peel, who said she is standing behind LeBlanc. LeBlanc's resignation comes less than a week before St. John's was set to celebrate its 55th anniversary. A picnic, dinner dance and visit from Cardinal Sean O'Malley are planned to mark the June 24 milestone. In this weekend's church bulletin, LeBlanc wrote about the anniversary, noting that during "these tough economic times we have struggled and yet we have maintained a vibrant and spirit-filled community we can be proud of." LeBlanc had a "late vocation" to the priesthood, having joined it late in life after having a professional career. Before entering the priesthood, he worked as the spokesman for the now-closed Bradford College. His first assignment in Haverhill was at All Saints Church, formerly St. Joseph's Church. He became St. John's pastor on Sept. 1, 2003. LeBlanc oversaw the renovation of the church basement into a parish hall in 2006. The renovations, which began in November 2005, were funded through the sale of a 2.3-acre parcel of land behind the church to Merrimack Valley Hospital for $1.25 million. He also had air conditioning installed in the church, and instituted a 10 a.m. family Mass, timing it so children attending CCD classes that let out at 9:55 a.m. didn't have to leave the property and return. During LeBlanc's tenure, the altar server program was also expanded to allow more members of the parish to be involved. LeBlanc's resignation is not the parish's first brush with controversy. LeBlanc replaced the Rev. Frederick Sweeney, hailed by many as the priest who, along with the Rev. Dennis Nason, forced out former St. John's Rev. Ronald Paquin amid allegations of child sexual abuse. Paquin is serving a 12- to 15-year sentence at MCI Concord for repeatedly raping a Haverhill altar boy. He was defrocked in 2002 after admitting he was a child molester at the church in the 1980s. The archdiocese settled four molestation cases that Paquin was involved in. He was also stationed at St. Monica's Parish in Methuen in the 1970s. During Mass yesterday, Anthony remarked on how the St. John's parish is both a "welcoming" and "forgiving" parish. The parish was formed in 1955 by a group that wanted a Catholic church on the east side of Haverhill. Before the church was built, the group met in the parking lot of Haverhill Stadium, which is right across the street. In the cold weather, parishioners met in boys' locker room at the stadium. "So many of those founding members are still attending the church today," Anthony noted yesterday. • • • Join the discussion. To comment on stories and see what others are saying, log on to eagletribune.com. jpatten@eagletribune.com, jharmacinski@eagletribune.com
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