By Dave Canfield
The Troy Record
January 14, 2011

http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2011/01/14/news/doc4d311789e54d7781624442.txt

PITTSFIELD, Mass. - A former Troy priest will stand trial Jan. 31 on charges alleging he molesting a pair of boys while leading a Massachusetts church in the 1980s.

Gary Mercure was serving at churches in Troy when he was suspended from duty when allegations of misconduct surfaced in January 2008. Later that year, he was defrocked by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, which found reasonable belief the priest had abused a child locally decades ago, and charged with crimes in Massachusetts soon after.

Mercure, who spent time at Sacred Heart and St. William’s in Troy, was accused in 2008 of abusing children locally in the 1980s. Numerous victims came forward to tell their tales of alleged abuse, but no charges could be filed locally due to the statues of limitations on the applicable charges.

After he was charged in Massachusetts, he saw several delays in his trial date. According to the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office, jury selection will begin Jan. 31.

Mercure was first ordained in the mid-1970s. He spent much of his time at local churches, which also included Our Lady of the Assumption in Latham, Our Lady of Annunciation in Queensbury, St. Teresa of Avila in Albany and St. Mary's in Glens Falls.