Ri Priest Defrocked on Sexual Misconduct Claims

Providence Journal
April 26, 2012

http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/04/ri-priest-defro.html

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence has defrocked a Woonsocket priest on sexual misconduct allegations involving a relative nearly 30 years ago.

The Call of Woonsocket reports the Rev. Timothy Gorton was defrocked and stripped of his priestly duties at the Precious Blood parish earlier this month. Diocese officials confirmed the report and say they forwarded the allegations to police, who haven't filed criminal charges.

Gorton's nephew, James Wilkinson, told the newspaper that Gorton fondled him at a church in Cumberland in 1983 when he was 12, and Gorton exposed himself to Wilkinson in Narragansett later that year.

Gorton couldn't be reached for comment Thursday. A man who answered a phone listing for Gorton said Gorton didn't live there.