BishopAccountability.org
	Former Priest Facing Molestation Claims Won't Attend Trial By Sam Hemingway Burlington Free Press April 5, 2006 http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20060405/NEWS02/604050311/1007&theme= The retired former priest facing 12 lawsuits alleging he sexually molested altar boys at Roman Catholic parishes in Vermont will not appear in court to defend himself when the first of the cases goes to trial later this month. In a letter sent to a Chittenden Superior Court clerk last week, Edward Paquette of Westfield, Mass., cited health and economic reasons for his decision not to attend the trial, scheduled to begin April 19 or 20. "I'm soon to have daily radiation treatments for prostate cancer," Paquette wrote in a March 29 letter to the court. "So, will not be able to attend the trial ... Also, cannot attend trial for financial reasons, cannot afford to stay in a motel, restaurant meals for duration of the trial." Paquette, who was stripped of his priestly duties by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington in 1978, has not been provided legal services by the diocese, his co-defendant in the 12 cases. He has represented himself without the aid of an attorney and did answer questions at a pre-trial deposition, an interview with attorneys in the case. The deposition took place in Massachusetts. Paquette has not attended any pre-trial hearings at the Burlington court. Jerome O'Neill, the lawyer representing the 12 individuals allegedly molested by Paquette, declined comment on Paquette's decision not to participate in his trial, citing a gag order in the cases issued by Judge Ben Joseph. "It complicates things, let's put it that way," diocesan lawyer Bill O'Brien said of Paquette's decision. He declined further comment, citing the gag order. According to court documents, Paquette molested boys in parishes in Massachusetts and Indiana prior to his arrival in Vermont, where he is accused of sexually abusing boys in parishes in Burlington, Montpelier and Rutland in the 1970s. The documents allege the diocese knew of Paquette's background prior to his arrival in Vermont. Eleven of the 12 cases pending against Paquette contain abuse claims from former altar boys at Christ the King parish in Burlington; the 12th case involves a alleged molestation incident at a Montpelier parish. Another five cases pending in the same court involve child sexual abuse by four other former priests in Vermont. Contact Sam Hemingway at 660-1850 or e-mail at shemingway@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.