Diocese Investigating Former Waterville Priest

Morning Sentinel
February 13, 2012

http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/diocese-investigating-former-waterville-priest_2012-02-12.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 Saturday by the church.

The church did not elaborate on the incidents, but retired Father Antonin "Tony" Caron has a history of disciplinary and legal troubles.

Caron was a priest at Notre Dame in Waterville shortly after his ordination as a priest in 1969; he served in Waterville for about six months, according to Father Joseph Daniels of Corpus Christi Parish.

In March 2000, the church suspended Caron for several months for 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.

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

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