Portland Diocese Investigating Retired Local Priest

Kennebec Journal
February 11, 2012

http://www.kjonline.com/Portland-diocese-investigating-retired-local-priest.html

PORTLAND — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland is investigating a retired Maine priest for "reported incidents" of abuse between 1982 and 1986, according to a press release distributed by the church on Saturday.

The church doesn't elaborate on the incidents, but retired Father Antonin "Tony" Caron has a history of disciplnary and legal troubles.

In March 2000, the church suspended Caron for several months for his involvement with a now-defunct website for gay clergymen.

In 1993, he was brought to trial and acquitted of sexually assaulting a woman.

Caron, 68, was ordained in 1969 and served Maine communities for most of four decades. After his suspension in 2000, Caron resumed his ministry throughout Maine until 2010, according to the press release.

Caron worked in various parishes, including Portland, Waterville, Old Orchard, Lewiston, Presque Isle, Berwick, Sanford and others.

Bishop Richard Malone asks anyone with information regarding the abuse to contact local law enforcement or Deacon John Brennan at 207-321-7836.