Groping Charge Dropped against Priest Who Served in Walpole, Stoughton

The Patriot-Ledger
September 14, 2012

http://www.patriotledger.com/topstories/x1681147425/Molest-charges-dropped-against-local-priest

The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Friday that a 2010 groping charge against the former Walpole priest has been withdrawn from prosecution because the alleged victim did not want to proceed with the case and asked that he not be compelled to testify.

“The case is concluded,” spokesman David Traub said.

The Rev. Boutin, 48, was known as “Father Mike” at Blessed Sacrament Church in Walpole. He had been at Blessed Sacrament since 2004, and before that was a priest at Immaculate Conception Church in Stoughton.

The Boston Archdiocese placed him on leave after his June 2010 arrest.

“We are grateful the legal process has been resolved,” Terrence Donilon, a spokesman for the Boston archdiocese, said on Friday. “The church has respected these proceedings throughout the course of the case out of respect for Father Boutin’s rights. At this time, we will initiate the process by which we will make a determination regarding his status and future ministry in the archdiocese. We continue to ask for the prayers of all impacted by these events, including the parishioners of Blessed Sacrament.”

The priest’s attorney could not be reached for comment .

The case began when a 21-year-old man told State Police that he had been touched inappropriately in a wooded area behind the Route 138 Park and Ride lot on the Canton-Milton line. The lot is bordered on three sides by the Blue Hills Reservation, parts of which are a wildlife conservation area.

The man told police that he pulled into the lot at 8:30 a.m. to find a place to relieve himself and was followed into the woods by another man. He said the man, later identified as the Rev. Boutin, fondled him through his shorts, State Police said in 2010.

State Police traced a license plate number to an address in Walpole, and the Rev. Boutin was identified by his driver’s license photo.

At the time of the arrest, parishioners at the Stoughton and Walpole churches expressed support for the Rev. Boutin and said they were shocked by the charge.

Lane Lambert may be reached at llambert@ledger.com