Andover pastor placed on leave over sex abuse allegation

WCVB TV
April 9, 2019

https://bit.ly/2uV0jls

An Andover priest is on administrative leave after being accused of sexual abuse of a minor, the Archdiocese of Boston announced Tuesday.

Rev. Peter Gori was accused of sexually abusing a minor 28 years ago, the archdiocese said.

Gori's accuser is represented by Boston-based attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who has represented numerous other victims of clergy abuse. Garabedian said his client was approximately 10 years old at the time of the abuse.

Additionally, Garabedian's client also accused Fr. William F. Waters, O.S.A., of inflicting abuse between 1987 and 1990.

"By coming forward my client is trying to heal, empower other victims and make the world a safer place for children," Garabedian said.

Gori is the pastor of St. Augustine's Parish in Andover and previously a canon lawyer in the Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Boston. He is a member of the Augustinian Order of St. Thomas of Villanova. The Archdiocese said that order will be responsible for investigating the allegations.

"The Archdiocese of Boston is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and young people in our parishes and institutions," the archdiocese wrote in a statement. "Through its Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach, the Archdiocese continues to make counseling and other services available to survivors, their families and parishes impacted by clergy sexual abuse and by allegations of abuse by members of the clergy."