Diocese of Portland ME - BishopAccountability.org

60 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. John L. Audibert

Ordained: 1967
Status: Sued

Accused in 1993 of abuse of a minor 1974-1976. Received treatment. Case evaluated by the Diocesan Review Board and Audibert was returned to active ministry. Removed from active ministry without privileges in 2002. He told his parishioners about the claims. Permanently removed from ministry by the Vatican in 3/2006 and ordered to lead a life of prayer and penance. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/2023 of sexually abusing an altar boy, age 12, in the late 1960s.

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Fr. George W. Beaudet

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1975
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Name publicly as accused by the Portland diocese in 1/2007. Had been placed on leave in 2000 after an allegation of abuse dating back to 1979. Additional complaints were received in 2002. Laicization announced in 5/2008. Last known to be living in FL.

Assignments:

KeepMECurrent 01.29.07

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Fr. Louis F. Berube

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Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused of abuse of girls in 1954, 1961-62, and 1971. He retired in 1992 and died in 2002. Bishop announced in 2006 that Berube's name would appear on a "list of deceased priests who, based on available information, would likely be removed from the ministry if they were alive today."

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Fr. Charles Bigelin

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Ordained: 1915
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Died in 1962. Accused of abuse in 2002, per documents released by the Maine Attorney General's office in 5/05. A man reported to the Archdiocese and Attorney General in 2002 that Bigelin had attempted to molest him at age 13, about 1953, at St. Mary's Parish in Old Town.

Sources:

Maine AG Document Production 05.27.05

Fr. Phillip J. Boivin

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Ordained: 1920
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused of abuse of a boy, age 9 or 10, in 1941 or 1942 at St. John Parish in Rumford, per documents released by Maine AG in 7/05. Died in 1953.

Sources:

Maine AG Document Production 07.08.05

Fr. Henry A. Boltz

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Ordained: 1920
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Ordained for the Diocese of Calgary in 1920. Arrived in Portland in 1931, incardinated in 1935. Per 2005 documents released by the Maine Attorney General, Boltz was accused of abuse as boys by three men. The abuse allegedly occurred in the late 1940s - early 1950s. Retired in 1966. Died at age 79 in 1970.

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Fr. William B. Cahill

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1946
Status: Accused

Died: 02/5/1986
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused of abuse of at least three boys, who were students at Cheverus High School, between 1950 and 1960, per documents released by Maine AG in 2005. Died 2/5/1986. Included on the Northeast Province Jesuits list of credibly accused 1/15/2019, which notes incidents reported in 2002 of abuse 1955-1956. Included on the Detroit archdiocese's list 6/10/2019.

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Fr. Antonin R. Caron

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1969
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Found not guilty by jury in 3/94 of gross sexual assault and other charges involving a 13-year-old girl. Said to have assaulted girl with a pencil and his hands 5/9/92 in the sacristy of St. James in Baileyville. Caron's defense was that he would not have assaulted the girl because he was gay. Caron retired "on disability" before the charges were filed. Name in the news 2002-03 because he posted on a gay web site created by another priest, Fr. John Harris. Privileges temporarily revoked but later reinstated. Investigation of new complaint in 2/12 of incidents 1982-86. Diocese deemed claims "substantiated." New claims under investigation by Archdiocese in 8/14. One man says Caron sexually abused him as a boy for 3 years, taking him on trips after his mother died. Laicization announced 6/10/16.

Fr. Herve G. Carrier

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Ordained: 1947
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Per news in 2002, Carrier abused an 8-year-old girl once in the spring of 1958. After therapy, the alleged victim disclosed abuse in 1993 but church officials did not believe her. He died in 2002 at age 87. Documents released by Maine AG in 5/05.

Assignments:

Newspaper Bio 12.29.64

Sources:

Maine AG Document Production 05.27.05

Fr. Frederick A. Carrigan

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Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Removed from ministry in 1989 for inappropriate behavior with an adult. First accused if abuse of a minor in 1991 after allegation dating back to 1972. Removed from all ministry in 2002. Bishop recommended laicization. After a church trial in fall, 2008, Vatican announced in 5/09 that Carrigan should live a life of prayer and penance.

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Fr. Ralph Corbeil

Ordained: 1935
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused in 2002 of abuse of a 15-year-old girl in 1948. Also accused of abusing an altar boy 1952-56, per documents released by Maine AG's office in 5/05. There were several complaints in the early 1950s and Corbeil was transferred. Abuse of the altar boy was allegedly at St. Mary's in Lewiston. Corbeil was said to have given the boy money after each incident. Corbeil retired 8/1/69 and died 1/20/73.

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Fr. David P. Cote

Ordained: 1968
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

One of three priests accused in a 4/2023 lawsuit of abusing four Native American children, ages 7 to 16, at St. Ann's on Indian Island between 1972 and 1987. Cote told a news outlet, "I don't see myself as abusing anybody." One woman said Cote abused her in the rectory kitchen in the summer of 1978. She said her father witnessed the abuse and confronted Cote, and the family soon moved.

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Fr. Paul E. Coughlin

Ordained: 1966
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Law enforcement informed the diocese in 2002 that Coughlin had been accused of "inappropriate physical contact" (but not abuse) with a minor in 1985. The diocese deemed that allegation unsubstantiated. Removed in 2004 after diocese learned that Coughlin had allowed a man accused of molesting a teenage boy to live in his rectory. Was to be returned to limited duties in 2/08 but too much public outcry.

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Br. Marcel Crete

Order: FIC
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Pleaded guilty in 12/89 to five counts of gross sexual misconduct against a 12-year-old boy in 1983. Two other charges were beyond the statute of limitations. Per 2/04 Maine Attorney General's Report, Crete was sentenced to 8 years with all but two and a half years suspended and a period of probation. Served 7 months of his sentence and was released in 7/90. Last known to still be living with the Brothers of Christian Instruction in Alfred, Maine. Registered sex offender.

Sources:

Maine AG Report 02.24.04
Portland Press Herald 02.26.04

Fr. John Crozier

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Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Per documents released by the Maine AG's office in 2005, Crozier was accused of abusing three brothers and one of their sisters in the 1960s and 1970s. They reported the alleged abuse to the diocese in the 1990s. Known to have major problems with alcohol. No assignment after 1983. Died in 1990.

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Fr. John J. Curran

Ordained: 1927
Status: Sued

Died: 01/18/1976
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Curran retired in 1972 and died in 1976. In 1994 a man testified at a legislative hearing that he had been molested by Curran in the 1950s. The diocese forwarded the information to police in 5/2002. Another man had notified the police in 3/2002 that he had also been molested by Curran in the late 1950s. Another man complained in 2007 of abuse as a boy, age 12, in 1962. The bishop noted in 7/2008 that if Curran were alive, the diocese would remove him from ministry pending investigation. Personnel file released in 1/2014. Suit filed in 6/2022. Three new lawsuits filed in 12/2022 by men alleging abuse by Curran as boys, ages 11-14, in the 1960s.

Fr. Armand E. Cyr

Ordained: 1939
Status: Accused

Died: 05/28/1978
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Monsignor. A woman told the Diocese of Portland in OR in 2002 that Cyr molested her in 1949 when she was 11, and again in 1957 when she was 19 and he drove her home from college. He died in 1978. (Not the same priest as Armand Cyr of the Lafayette LA diocese.)

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Fr. Herman Delaney

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused by a woman of raping her shortly before she graduated from high school in 1967 at age 18. Another man was accused too. Abuse not recalled until 1983. Complainant also recovered under hypnosis memories of being abused by her father, father's friends, and her mother, and of being raped by her doctors. Complainant believed she had performed exorcisms. AG's file notes that her allegation "was not deemed credible," possibly referring only to the allegation against the second man. Died 1987.

Sources:

Maine AG Document Production 05.27.05

Fr. Eugene Descombes

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Ordained: 1932
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

A priest of the Archdiocese of Quebec. Worked several summers in Maine. Died in 1980. In 1/22 the Diocese of Portland ME announced that the Diocesan Review Board had substantiated an allegation that Descombes sexually abused a minor in the mid-1950s, during a trip to Canada. Per the diocese, it learned of the allegation in 2021.

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Fr. Joseph C. Dooley

Order: SJ
Ordained: 1939
Status: Accused

Died: 07/31/1983
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

In 2002 a woman alleged that Dooley abused her when she was ages 3-11 during 1956-1964. He was assigned at the time to St. Dominic's in Portland. Another woman made allegations of abuse in 2000; her age at time of the alleged abuse was unknown. Dooley was assigned to Cheverus High School 1954-1958. He died in 7/1983. Included on the Jesuits Northeast Province list of credibly accused 1/15/2019, which notes allegation(s) received in 2000 of abuse in 1965. Assigned 1958-1980 to Boston College High School in Boston.

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Fr. Michael L. Doucette

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1975
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused of abusing a boy over several years in the early 1980s. He was removed from his parish in 2002. Doucette's accuser said he told Bishop Gerry in 1991 about the abuse. Doucette admitted to "several physical encounters" with a 15-year-old parishioner. Out-of-court settlement in 1992. Several known victims. Vatican's approval of archdiocese's decision to permanently remove him from active priesthood announced in 8/09. Victim sued for payment of counseling bill. Denied by judge in 12/19.

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Fr. Dominique Doyon

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Order: OP
Ordained: 1933
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

In 2002 and 2003, two men each accused Doyon of molesting them in Lewiston in the 1960s and '70s. Doyon was living at the SS Peter and Paul monastery at the time of the alleged abuse. He was still living there per 1989 Official Catholic Directory. Reported in 2005 to be deceased.

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Fr. Louis Philippe Fiset

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Order: OP
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Originally from Canada. Named in the 2005 Portland AG report as having abused one youth, ages 14-18, between 1968-1978 in Lewiston. Report was made in 2003. Shown as deceased.

Sources:

Maine AG Document Production 05.27.05

Fr. Arthur P. Craig

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1955
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused in a lawsuit filed against the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Easter Province in 12/22 of sexually abusing a girl, ages 4-8, at a Bar Harbor seminary and Bucksport retreat house. The plaintiff claims that she lived in a Massachusetts orphanage affiliated with the Order and was brought to Maine, where she was abused by Craig and other priests.

Sources:

Bangor Daily News 12.08.22

Br. Paul L. Gauvin

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Order: SC
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

In 12/12 the diocese announced a substantiated claim against Gauvin of abuse of a minor, age 11-12, in the early 1970s. Assigned at the time of the alleged abuse as director of religious education at St. Thomas Aquinas in Madawaska. Gauvin apparently left Maine in 1994 when the order left. He was working as director of liturgy at Sacred Heart parish in Bloomfield CT in 2012 when placed under supervision without contact with minors.

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Fr. Antonio M. Girardin

Ordained: 1937
Status: Sued

Died: 08/20/1974
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Documents produced with the 2005 Maine Attorney General's Report show at least four allegations of abuse against Girardin. One woman complained that he abused her in 1943 when she was in 5th grade. The other three complaints were by men who said Girardin abused them as children in the 1960s. Girardin died in 1974. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/2023 of sexually abusing a boy at a Pittsfield parish, where he was assigned 1960-1967.

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Fr. Peter Paul Gorham

Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused in 1995 of abuse dating back to 1953. Retired in 1996 and has had no duties after that time. Diocese announced in 1/07 that the Vatican had permanently removed him from ministry and ordered him to lead a life of prayer and penance. Died 9/14/09.

Assignments:

Press Herald Obituary 09.20.09

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Fr. Renald C. Hallee

Ordained: 1970
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

A woman filed suit in 3/10 against Hallee and the diocese alleging that he sexually abused her 1970-1973, beginning when she was age 8 and he was assigned to St. John's Parish in Bangor ME. The court ruled in favor of the diocese and Hallee due to the statute of limitations. The woman settled with the diocese but appealed the decision regarding Hallee; it was reversed in 1/12. Hallee's last assignment as a priest was in 1977. He spent time the same year at the House of Affirmation in Whitinsville, MA, stayed in MA and married in 1983. He was a teacher in Lexington MA 1978-2007 and was laicized 5/4/09. As a volunteer at a parish in Billerica MA, he was allowed to chaperone teenagers on a church trip in 2010, despite having informed the parish priest about the lawsuit. The woman's suit against Hallee was dismissed by the ME Supreme Court on the statute of limitations. The court said she had not tried hard enough to locate him and serve him with a lawsuit. In 2020 the diocese received a report that Hallee sexually abused a high school student in the early 1970s. The allegations were deemed credible by the Diocesan Review Board, as announced in 1/22.

Documents:

Plaintiff v Renald C. Hallee et al Superior Court Decision 09.28.10

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Fr. John E. Harris

Ordained: 1984
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Disciplined in 1999 for launching a sexually explicit website. Placed on leave in 2003 after allegations of nude swimming and boating with youths 20 years prior. Subject of several complaints filed against the diocese. Reportedly moved to Canada and was defrocked in 2015. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/2023 of sexually abusing a boy, beginning when the boy was age 14, in the mid-1980s. The boy lived at the Rumford Boys' Home, across the street from Harris' parish.

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Fr. Thomas Henderson

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Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

The 2005 Maine AG report includes one claim that Henderson attempted to rape a 13- or 14-year old boy in Richmond in 1945 or 1946. Henderson's accuser said there may have been more than one assault but he didn't remember because he and the priest were drunk. Deceased.

Sources:

Maine AG Document Production 05.27.05

Fr. Ernest Justin Hill

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Order: ST
Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Suspended by his order in 1994 for refusing to undergo psychological testing. Accused in 1999 of sexual abuse in Maine in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Hill became an S.T. brother in 1944 and an S.T. priest in 1951. On the Jackson diocese's list 3/19/19. It notes report in 1994 of abuse in Indiana in 1992. Died in 2003.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Francis J. Kane

Ordained: 1953
Status: Settled

Died: 11/13/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused in a 1994 civil suit of abuse of a youth in 1982 at St. Bartholomew's in Cape Elizabeth. Kane had been placed on limited ministry in 1987. Claim settled in 1995. Retired in 1997 from duties as hospital chaplain. In 1/07 it was announced that the Vatican had ordered Kane to lead a life of prayer and penance. Died 11/13/10.

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Fr. Laurent Laplante

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Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Removed from assignment in 12/05 after a teenage girl said he touched her pants on her knee and inner thigh six years previously when she was age 9. He was returned to his parish assignment in 2/06 after the diocese said it was unable to find enough evidence to prove the event had occurred.

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Fr. Raymond J. Lauzon

Ordained: 1955
Status: Convicted

Died: 09/26/2005
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

A woman reportedly told four different priests in the 1970s that Lauzon was sexually abusing boys. No action. A young priest in the early 1980s told the chancellor that Lauzon was abusing a boy. Bishop Proulx decided the allegations were "groundless." Accused in 1984 of performing oral sex on a boy and of trying to get the boy to recant statement to police. Charges filed. In a plea deal, sentenced in 1985 to six months jail and one year probation for witness tampering only. Joined a Franciscan monastery in Kennebunk in 1990. Diocese published a written apology in 4/98. Several suits filed in the 1990s. Accused by five brothers of sexually abusing them as boys in the 1970s and 1980s. All reached settlements. Two brothers from another family also claimed abuse and received settlements. Maine AG report shows 18 plaintiffs. Living in 2002 at Monastery in Lithuania, often seen with children. Died in 9/05. A man sued the diocese in 2016, claiming abuse as a boy in the late 1970s to 1981 by Lauzon and Rev. Christian Roy. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 12/22 of sexually abusing a boy in 1970 at the St. Joseph the Provider thrift shop in Portland.

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Fr. Thomas M. Lee

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Ordained: 1953
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Removed in 5/02 when a woman said he abused her son. Youth "would not testify" and diocese returned Lee to ministry, saying charges were unsubstantiated. Removed again in 9/03 when two other victims came forward. The first victim denied refusing to testify. Lee retired in 2004. Church tribunal ruled in 8/08 that the accusations were not proven, but that Lee's actions were imprudent. The bishop appealed to the Vatican in 12/08. As of 1/09 there were 14 accusers. Diocese said 2/19/11 that the church appeals court affirmed the tribunal ruling but that Lee would not be reassigned.

Fr. Angelo B. Levasseur

Ordained: 1983
Status: Sued

Died: 05/31/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused in a 2/2023 lawsuit of plying a teenage boy with alcohol and sexually abusing him in a hotel room in Quebec in the early 1990s. Levasseur had taken the boy to Quebec for a religious event. He was assigned at the time to St. Luce in Frenchville and was head of the diocese's Christian Life Center. He died in 2009. His accuser first came forward to the diocese in 2017.

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Fr. Daniel Greene Madigan

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Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Ordained in Worcester, MA. Assigned in the Archdiocese of Seattle and Diocese of Portland. Granted faculties in the Diocese of Gaylord in 7/2003, assigned to St. Anne in Alpena and St. Rose in Herron. Soon removed from St. Rose per the request of a parish administrator and parishioners. Accused in 10/2003 of grooming and boundary violations toward a teenage boy some time prior in Caribou, ME. Madigan denied the allegations. The Gaylord Diocese asked Madigan to undergo a psychological evaluation before possible incardination; Madigan refused and told the Diocese in 2008 that he might return to "civilian life." Included in the MI Attorney General's 1/8/2024 Gaylord report.

Sources:

MI A.G. Gaylord Report 01.08.24

Fr. Lucien Mandeville

Ordained: 1935
Status: Settled

Died: 01/24/1984
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused in 2002 of abuse of a boy in 1944 in Lewiston, another in the early 1950s (who said Mandeville also abused his younger brother) in Rumford, and one during an unknown time frame. Retired in 1973. Died in 1984. Settlement of a lawsuit in 4/2024 with a man, age 89, who claimed he was sexually abused at age 13 in 1948 by Mandeville. The man said he and two other boys were playing outside of St. John's in Rumford when Mandeville offered to drive them home, and that the priest abused him in the car after dropping off the other boys. The man said he decided to settle so that he could put it behind him in the best way he could for healing.

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Br. Shawn McEnany

Order: SC
Status: Convicted

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Pleaded guilty in 1988 to unlawful sexual contact with a 15-year-old female student at a Lewiston ME High School. Received two one-year suspended sentences and one year probation. Hired in 1990 to work at Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua, NH. Order thought it was ok since it was a boys school and he abused a girl. Placed on leave in 1997; charged with violating a state law that bars sex offenders from working with children and for failing to register as a sex offender. Charges dropped in 1999. Moved to RI, became a social worker. Died in 2017. Named in Maine AG Report. Accused in a 5/18 lawsuit of sexually assaulting a girl at Bishop Guertin HS in NH in 1995. Hearing set for 9/21/20.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Joseph R. McGowan

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Ordained: 1920
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

In 3/02 a 78-year-old man reported that he was abused by McGowan at ages 13-15 in 1937-39, at St. Francis Xavier in Winthrop. McGowan died in 1962. In 10/09 the archdiocese announced that it had substantiated several allegations received in 2009 of abuse occurring 1936-49. All tributes and memorials on church property were ordered removed.

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Fr. Lucien McKeone

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Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Died in 1980, age 47. Accused of abuse of a boy and two sisters. Per the diocese, a first report of abuse involving McKeone was received in 1993. The male accuser said that the abuse occurred in the early 1960s in Rumford when he was 10 or 11. One of the sisters alleged that she was between the ages of 15-20 when abused. McKeone was a family friend.

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Fr. Raymond P. Melville

Ordained: 1985
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Left active priesthood in 1997. In a 1990 letter to Portland ME Bishop Gerry, a man accused Melville of abusing him as a teenager 1980-1985, when Melville was a seminarian in Baltimore. Melville admitted the allegations. Sent to treatment in MN, returned to ministry. Diocese knew of his behavior before 1990. Sued in 2000 by a man who claimed abuse for seven years, including rape, beginning when he was age 13 in 1985. Admitted the abuse. Suit settled for $500K. Other complaints in several locations. Case sent to Vatican with request for laicization; pending in 2012. Another suit filed in 2/2007 alleged abuse of a boy at age 12 in the late 1980s. Victim awarded $4.2M in 1/2008. Diocese dismissed from suit; dismissal upheld by ME Supreme Court in 11/2013. Third suit filed 11/2007. Melville was reportedly living in OK in 2007 and by 2013 may have been living in NC.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Leo James Michaud

Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Removed in 4/2002 due to an allegation of abuse of teenage boy, ages 16-19, in the early 1970s. Michaud was a seminarian at the time in question. Bishop said in 2007 that there was no proof of sexual abuse of a minor but that there was other misconduct that would keep Michaud from active ministry. He is shown as on Special or Other Diocesan Assignment in the Catholic Directories 2003-2012. Name changed in the Directory's 2004-2012 volumes to James L. Michaud. One of three priests accused in a 4/2023 lawsuit of abusing four Native American children, ages 7 to 16, at St. Ann's on Indian Island between 1972 and 1987.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Rosario E. Ouellette

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Ordained: 2024
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

The diocese reported to the Attorney General in 2004 that Ouellette had recently been accused of abuse of a middle school aged boy in the early 1930s at Sacred Heart in Portland and at Camp Gregory. Ouellette died in 1969.

Sources:

Maine AG Document Production 07.08.05

Br. Albert Pellerin

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Order: OP
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Per documents released 5/27/05 by the Maine A.G., a man reported in 2002 that Pellerin groped him as a boy in the 1960s in Lewiston. Pellerin was deceased when the report was made.

Sources:

Maine AG Document Production 05.27.05

Fr. Maurice Plourd

Ordained: 1945
Status: Sued

Died: 01/11/1994
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/2023 of sexually abusing altar boys between 1954 and 1957, while assigned to St. Rose of Lima in Chisholm. Retired in 1984. Died in 1/1994.

Sources:

Portland Press Herald 08.14.23

Fr. Michael L. Plourde

Ordained: 1976
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Publicly named as accused by diocese on 1/27/07. Plourde had been placed on leave in 1994 for allegations dating to 1976 that he abused two minors. He had returned to ministry in 1989 after counseling due to allegations involving sexual misconduct toward an adult. The Bishop recommended laicization. Name released as accused before the Vatican's decision came through, citing the case of accused Wilmington priest Francis G. DeLuca. Laicization announced in 5/08. In 12/22 two brothers sued the diocese, claiming Plourde sexually abused them when they were altar boys, ages 10 and 12, at St. Hycinth in Westbrook in 1978-1979. They said they told their mother at the time, who reported the abuse to Plourde's supervisor, Fr. Antonio Gosselin. The family left the parish and allegedly heard nothing back from church officials.

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Fr. Marcel L. Robitaille

Ordained: 1964
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Church ignored complaints in 1986 that Robitaille abused a nephew. Accused in a 1993 civil suit of abusing his younger brothers and the nephew over a period of many years. Diocese also named in suit. Civil suit against diocese was dismissed in 2002; judge ruled that abuse occurred only through family relationships and not through Robitaille's duties as a priest. Family reached a confidential settlement with Robitaille. There was a non-family complaint in 1997. Sentenced by the Vatican in 7/2008 to a life of prayer and penance. One of three priests accused in a 4/2023 lawsuit of abusing four Native American children, ages 7 to 16, at St. Ann's on Indian Island between 1972 and 1987. Robitaille was noted to be deceased.

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Fr. Joseph C. Romani

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Ordained: 1934
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Born in Italy. Arrived in Portland in 1945. Incardinated in 1946. Per documents released by the Maine Attorney General's office, allegations were received in 2002 -03 that Romani had abused at least three young girls in the 1950s and 1960s. Assigned to St. Peter's in Portland during his entire career. Retired in 1983. Died in 2001 at age 93. Supervised known abuser Rev. Lawrence Sabatino beginning in 1967; may have failed to report additional allegations against him.

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Fr. Christian F. Roy

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Ordained: 1975
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

On personal leave in 1993 when accused of abuse of a boy 1983-90. Privileges removed. At least two other complaints received. A woman sued him in 1994 claiming that Roy was counseling her and her husband and that he entered into a homosexual relationship with her husband during the counseling. Later settled. Laicized in 2006. A man sued the diocese in 2016, claiming abuse as a boy by Roy and Rev. Raymond Lauzon in the late 1970's to 1981. The man said Roy abused him during trips to Red Sox games and took him to Lauzon's home where he was also abused by that priest.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Lawrence A. Sabatino

Ordained: 1955
Status: Sued

Died: 08/6/1990
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

A Lewiston family told the bishop and police in 1958 that Sabatino had sexually abused their 6-year-old daughter. The bishop transferred him to St. Peter's parish. At least 13 women had come forward as of 2005 to allege that he abused them as children, at ages ranging from 6-17. During much of his time at St. Peter's, Sabatino was supervised by another priest, J. Romani, who has also been accused of abuse. Sabatino died in 1990. A woman filed suit in 12/2022 against the diocese, claiming Sabatino sexually abused her beginning when she was age 7 in 1964. She said the priest would play hide-and-seek with her and other girls in the church basement, pick one girl to hide with, then sexually abuse that child. In 3/2023 six women filed lawsuits claiming abuse by Sabatino as girls, ages 5-11, during 1958-1967.

Fr. John Shorty

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Ordained: 1974
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Assigned to parishes in Caribou, Portland, Stonington and Augusta. Youth Director and Moderator of the Diocesan CYO. Chaplain at the ME Maritime Academy in Castine. Placed on leave in 1994, accused of abuse 1976-81. Parish was told he was leaving because of stress. Left the priesthood about four years later. Laicized in 2006. Subject of lawsuit in 6/22.

Sources:

Sister Alexis-du-Sacre-Coeur | Louise Delisle

Order: PM
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

As a result of a lawsuit by Blethen Maine Newspapers, the Maine Attorney General was compelled to release information and documents on accused priests and religious, including a 2005 letter from diocesan counsel to the AG, reporting that a man had notified the diocese that he had been sexually abused at age 8 or 9 in 1948 or 1949 by Sister Alexis-du-Sacre-Coeur in the 2nd or 3rd grade of St. Andre school in Biddeford. The 1949 Official Catholic Directory states that 26 Sisters of the Presentation of Mary and 11 Brothers of the Sacred Heart worked at the school, which had 478 boys and 664 girls studying there. St. Andre's also had a girls' high school with 104 pupils. The pastor was a diocesan consultor, Msgr. A.M. Decary. Counsel wrote: "Sister Alexis would punish students by having them sit under her desk. While under the desk, the Sister would put her dress over the child's head. [Redacted] reports that this happened to him often, and that she made him push his hands into her genitals while he was under her dress. She was not wearing underwear. Apparently this form of punishment was common and many students were placed under her desk. [Redacted] believes that at least one family, [Redacted] moved as a result of Sister Alexis' punishment of their child. At the time of the incidents, [Redacted] [redacted] parents, who reported them to the school. The school administrators urged the family not to say anything and there is some confusion regarding whether the police were informed. [Redacted] recalls the police coming to his home, but his older sister, [Redacted] did not share that recollection." See a 1946 photograph of Sister Alexis in her habit. By 1963, according to newspaper articles, Sister Alexis was teaching second grade at St. Augustine Catholic School in Augusta, where the 1963 Official Catholic Directory reports 18 Sisters of the Presentation of Mary were teaching 362 boys and 378 girls. Note that the 1949 Directory confuses Sister Alexis' order with the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but the 1963 Directory assigns St. Augustine's correctly to the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, founded in France with a motherhouse in Methuen MA. Sister Alexis-du-Sacre-Coeur's unusual religious name apparently derives from the name of her father, Alexis Delisle, Sr. Her gravestone at the former provincialate of her order in Methuen MA indicates that she was born Louise Delisle in 1904 and died in 1986.

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Sr. Helen McKeough

Order: RSM
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/2023 of abusing a girl, age 7, at St. Ann's Indian Island School in Old Town in about 1977. Keogh was the superior of St. Ann's Convent and school principal at the time in question.

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Fr. Armand J. Thibault

Order: SM
Ordained: 1985
Status: Convicted

Died: 08/13/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Sacred Heart Brother for 34 years, during which time he spent 21 years in Lesotho and Zambia. Ordained in 1985 for the Marists. Personnel file released in 12/02. Criminal trial in 1993 in ME for sexual contact in 1992 with child under 14 (3 boys) and child endangerment (providing beer). Found not guilty on sex charge and pleaded no contest to the other. Received treatment then reassigned to Boston under restrictions. Retired. All privileges removed in 1/02. Died in 8/12.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Clement Thibodeau

Ordained: 1958
Status: Sued

Died: 09/30/2017
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 8/2023 of sexually abusing a boy, age 12, in the late 1960s. Thibodeau was assigned at the time as chaplain at the Notre Dame Institute in Alfred. Thibodeau allegedly gave the boy and others alcohol in his living quarters, then isolated the boy and abused him. The boy tried to run away from the school with a classmate after several more incidents of abuse, but was returned by police and "corporally punished." Thibideau died in 2017.

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Fr. Robert C. Vaillancourt

Ordained: 1982
Status: Reinstated

Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

On 7/5/21 the Diocese announced that Vaillancourt had been placed on leave pending the investigation of an allegation that he had sexually abused a girl in the 1980s. Director in the late 1980s of Diocesan Youth Ministry. Pastor at the time of his suspension of St. Brendan the Navigator in Camden, ME. Vaillancourt denied wrongdoing. Reportedly in 9/21 a second woman had come forward, alleging Vaillancourt raped and sexually assaulted her repeatedly in 1982, when she was 15. He was in charge of youth ministry at St. Andre's in Biddeford during the time in question. In 7/22 the diocese announced that its Review Board had determined that the allegations were unfounded, and that Vaillancourt would be returned to active ministry. Assigned in 1/23 to an Auburn parish.

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Fr. James P. Vallely

Ordained: 1949
Status: Settled

Died: 12/12/1997
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Ordained for the Archdiocese of Portland OR in 1949; moved to Portland ME diocese in 1951, incardinated 1952. At least five allegations of abuse of boys, per docs released by ME AG's office in 5/05. Four were said to be in ME 1956-62. Privileges removed and abuse publicly acknowledged in 1993 after one accusation. A woman told pastor of St. Michael's church in 1994 (and later) that she had been abused at age 11. She settled for $200K in 12/09 for 1976 abuse. Vallely retired in 1988; died 12/12/97. Three more accusers emerged in 12/09. Two men filed suits in 5/13. On 11/23/15 six men filed civil suits vs the Portland ME diocese alleging abuse by Vallely 1958-77. All were altar boys, ages ranging 8-15 during alleged abuse. The diocese settled with the six men 8/15/16 for $1.2 million.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

Sources:

Sr. Mary Geraldine Walsh

Donate Photo

Order: RSM
Status: Sued

Died: 10/25/1973
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 12/21 of sexually abusing a second-grade boy at St. John's School in Bangor 1957-58, where Walsh was school principal and an 8th-grade teacher. Walsh's accuser said that she sexually abused him in the coatroom several times, after telling him that he had wet his pants and needed to take them off. The man also said he and his classmates were regularly spanked by teachers on their exposed buttocks in front of the class. Walsh died in 1973, age 86.

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Fr. Edward F. Ward

Ordained: 1928
Status: Sued

Died: 02/18/1997
Diocese: Diocese of Portland ME

Monsignor. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 12/22 of sexually abusing a 9-year-old altar boy at St. John's in Bangor in 1966. Ward died in 1997, age 96. Ward's accuser claims the abuse happened multiple times, and that the school principal, who was a nun, walked in on them on one occasion. The man said he told the principal about the abuse a few days later and she slapped him on the hands and chastised him for lying.

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