Woonsocket Pastor Acknowledges Sexual Assault, Resigns

Valley Breeze
February 25, 2013

http://www.valleybreeze.com/2013/02/25/nsbw/woonsocket-pastor-admits-to-sexual-assault-resigns

WOONSOCKET – A priest who was serving at St. Agatha and Precious Blood has acknowledged that he abused a minor in 1981 and has resigned from both churches.

Rev. Monsignor John Allard has been placed on administrative leave and police are encouraging anyone who knows of abuse to report it to police or the diocese.

The priest also served at Our Lady of Good Help in Burrillville, St. Aloysius in Woonsocket, and the Diocesan Office of Youth Ministry.

The incident, announced by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence on Monday, Feb. 25, is reported to have occurred at Immaculate Conception in Cranston, where Allard served from 1975 to 1984. In a statement, the diocese expressed remorse for the abuse.

The Rhode Island State Police received a letter from the diocese last month outlining allegations of a crime that took place more than 30 years ago. The victim has reportedly decided not to press charges, though if he had tried, the statute of limitations would have already run out.