North Reading pastor removed following allegations of sexual abuse

WCVB
February 8, 2015

http://www.wcvb.com/news/north-reading-pastor-removed-following-allegations-of-sexual-abuse/31161780

NORTH READING, Mass. —A North Reading pastor has been put on administrative leave following accusations of sexual abuse of a minor.

Rev. Thomas M. Gillespie, pastor of St. Theresa of Lisieux Parish, was placed on leave after the Archdiocese of Boston was recently made aware of an allegation against Gillespie of sexual abuse of a minor in the late 1970s, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Boston. 

The Archdiocese notified law enforcement of the allegation and has initiated a preliminary investigation into the complaint, according to the statement. 

Gillespie will remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the preliminary investigation, according to the Archdiocese of Boston.

"The decision to place Fr. Gillespie on administrative leave represents the Archdiocese’s commitment to the welfare of all parties and does not represent a determination of Fr. Gillespie’s guilt or innocence as it pertains to this allegation," the Archdiocese of Boston said in the statement.

Gillespie's year of ordination was 1968, according to the Archdiocese of Boston website, but the organization did not say where the alleged abuse occurred.