FORT KENT, Maine — As the Maine attorney general’s investigation into unspecified allegations against a Roman Catholic priest continues, the diocese has announced temporary assignments at the St. John Vianney Parish.
The parish, based in Fort Kent, has been without spiritual leader the Rev. James Nadeau since the 50-year-old pastor took a voluntary leave of absence in early April.
“The diocese is cooperating fully with the attorney general’s office and at their request I cannot discuss the allegations or anything about the investigation,” Bishop Richard Malone said at the time. “I am hopeful that this process will go smoothly in order to lead to an expeditious and just conclusion.”
Officials with the attorney general’s office and from the diocese have released little information on the investigation over the past several months.
Nadeau, who had been with the parish for seven years, is not living at the St. Louis rectory in Fort Kent and Tuesday afternoon the receptionist for the parish said his place of residence is unknown.
Nadeau’s attorneys released a statement several days after he stepped down confirming the investigation was not related to any incident sexual in nature.
“While we are unable to comment on the substance of the investigation at this time, we can state unequivocally what it is not about,” Scott G. Hunter of Solman & Hunter in Caribou and Richard S. Berne of the Law Offices of Richard S. Berne LLC in Portland said in the statement. “We have been informed by the attorney general’s office that the investigation has absolutely nothing to do with anything sexual in nature.”
Brenda Kielty, spokeswoman for the Maine attorney general’s office, confirmed at that time that the investigation did not involve sexual impropriety but would not comment further on the allegations.
Last week, Kielty said the investigation is ongoing and there are no new details to report. Citing the investigation’s active status, she declined to comment further.
In the meantime, the diocese announced that as of Aug. 1, the Revs. James Albert, Richard Ouellette and Clement Thibodeau will celebrate Masses, marriages, funerals and baptisms throughout the parish, which includes Fort Kent, New Canada, Eagle Lake, Wallagrass and St. Francis.
Dennis Bouchard, parish life coordinator, will be administrator for the day-to-day business operations of the parish.
The Rev. Robert Vaillancourt, who has been serving St. John Vianney Parish since April, is taking a two- to three-month medical leave of absence.
After the leave, he will begin his new assignment at Holy Savior in Rumford, where retired Rev. Ray Picard is serving as the temporary administrator and attending to pastoral and administrative needs.
Its news these day when a priest DOESN’T molest someone.
That’s unfair, and an insult to Catholics who are struggling with issue.
sometimes the truth is difficult
Stay tuned for more frequent puking-up-blood episodes before the leadership of this protected cult of pedophiles are brought to justice.
The victims struggle, feel for them. The perpetrators and those who protected them, well there is nothing to struggle with there either, the answer is easy, maximum jail time.
Well here is a thought. Still identify yourself as a Catholic, but don’t support the organization that has allowed this go on for who knows how many hundreds of years. Stop going to church and stop donating.
The only way to get through is to speak with your wallet.
This part of the shell game they play – keep moving these guys around to out of the way places and if the heat gets too bad and the guy is high enough in their ranks, they put him at the Vatican where he’s untouchable. The behavior of the Catholic Church around the issue of child molestation has been, and remains, deplorable.
Yet the cash keeps coming in…
Yes, the cash keeps coming in because people realize the Church has two components, one human and the other divine. Those two components will always exist. People inside the Church have also seen some promising changes to help prevent and report abuse when it happens. They are not nearly as negative as your comments have been in this tread so far.
Some of that cash that you donate goes to defending, covering up and moving these predators.
You are obviously just guessing what is going on in the Church. You have no facts to back your statement. Besides, you apparently are not aware of the extent of the changes that have gone on. In the meantime, while the number of credible accusations in the Church had dropped precipitously, you are ignoring the much greater problem of abuse in society at large as we speak. It sounds to me you like to engage in Catholic bashing, a favorite pastime for a lot of posters in this web site. Whatever the case may be, I hope I’m wrong about what I suspect about you.
As an ex-catholic I have a good idea of what goes on. Not to go on a rant but the entire thing sickens me. It’s about greed money and status. No longer is it about the true essence of what it means to be a person of faith. Personally I no longer need a book, a building or a man to tell me how to express my faith in God.
Stories like this make me glad to have found my own path.
As a convert I can tell you I think you would be better off inside the Church receiving the sacraments and the grace God gives through the Church. Man is a sociable being, not meant to be alone. He or she is called to be in union with the Church (Christ, all living persons, those already saved from damnation, and all the good angels) where the sacrifice, passion, and death of Jesus on cross is made present during the Mass through time (2 thousand years later) and space (over 6 thousand miles away) to the believers who come with their own particular offerings and sins. Don’t forget, Jesus was forsaken by Peter whom he had already chosen to head His church. He was also betrayed by Judas, another one of his leading 12 disciples or apostles. Scandal was present then as it is now. Wherever there is good, evil abounds as well. Jesus amply warned us about this situation to assist us when we too are tempted to flee during times of trial such as the sex scandal in the Church. When it broke out publicly it was horrible time for Catholics themselves who had come to love the Church. To add insult to the wound it was a time of festivity for many who were already alienated to the Church for various reasons of their own.
Thanks for that, i am just sitting here like… wow… as in wow how can anyone be so gullible and have absolutely no understanding of the religion the profess to know so much about. Standing the test of time and space? Sure that’s easy when you adopt the rites and holy days of the religion you are conquering in order to ease assimilation. Dec 25th is a prime example. The survival of the Catholic Church was not one of faith, it is due to political power, which they continue to use and abuse to this day. The majority of religions in this world are evil entities whose leadership is only interested in power and influence. The evidence is so far stacked against you on this, it is useless to argue the point. If you had to pick a church to try and defend, The Catholic Church is the worst of the bunch, and it is not so much an uphill battle to defend it as it is an up-mountain battle.
Of course those statements of yours are all impressions. Don’t forget too that the Church has a 2 thousand year history and is very large. That said the Church has unquestionably had its ups and downs in the morality of its membership and leadership. Nonetheless I certainly can’t disagree with you anymore when you say the majority of religions in this world are evil entities only interested in power and influence. Most certainly it has not been that way in the Church when you merely take a look at the popes in the last 100 years who were very noble leaders willing to expend most of their time and energy for the love of God. They did not subject themselves to much personal suffering for the sake of power and influence. Those earthly pursuits get old pretty fast. None of them, I mean, none of them aspired to become pope. Many of them even cried upon learning about their selection, which they understood to be a calling from God. And some of them even welcomed an early death just to be relieved of the burden of being its human head.
I’d cry too. Becoming pope is like winning all the lotteries in the world at once. The Pope’s ring alone could feed an entire 3rd world village for a year. Over the last 100 years Pope’s have, by their silence, supported the Concentration Camps, Sexual abuse of minors by priests, and continue its practices of inequality. So maybe I will believe you when the Pope gets rid of his gilded throne, makes reparations to those the church has harmed, and apologizes for the pain and suffering it has caused in its history. In her short life, Princess Diana lived a more giving and loving life than all the Popes in the last 100 years put together. Same goes for Mother Theresa, except she in her case it would be more loving and caring than all the Popes in the churches history put together. Had she been made Pope, things would be a lot different, but alas these great Popes of the last 100 years you speak of have not seen fit to give women equality in their cult.
I can see that you are at the far end of the scale of things and no matter how much I explain myself it will fall upon deaf ears.
You are of course talking about the past at least 6 to 8 years away if not longer. The Church has done much with its open door policy to prevent and report abuse when it occurs unlike most of society a large. You need to get updated on your information or watch where you get your information from.
I don’t know if you fully understand the implication of your remark. You seem to be painting nearly all priests black, yet less than four percent were responsible for any of the abuse committed in the Church in the past 4 to 5 decades ranging from salacious remarks (yes, those were counted too) to outright misconduct in seriousness. The rate of abuse outside the Church or society at large is just as high if not higher, not counting such misconduct as inappropriate remarks that will get a priest in a lot of trouble. Does that make nearly everyone in society a child abuser?
Where are you getting your numbers? The number that I found that of the roughly 41k priest in the US as of 2010, there have been a total of roughly 6,200 accusations. That breaks down to about 15% not 4-5%.
The US has a population of roughly 311 million, currently there are close to 750k registered offenders (some of which are not child molesters). That average is .24%
Given the small sample size of those in the priesthood, that percentage is huge and shows that there is a massive problem.
You are without any doubt mixing apples and oranges. The number of accusations does not indicate the number of priests accused. In instance one priest may have gotten 6 or 7 accusations. Also, many accusations have been found not to be credible. Those two factors alone together with the fact that not all priests with accusations are guilty of any misconduct doesn’t mean 15% of all the priests have abused children. The figure of less than 4% is the figure cited by the independent organization hired to study the problem of abuse in the Church. Incidentally, I stated that the abuse under consideration ranged from 4 to 5 decades, not percents. You apparently confused that figure with the percentage of abusive priests I cited, namely 4%.
I may have mixed up the numbers but the number you agree on is 4%.
4% of priests compared to .24% of non-priests is still a statistically significant amount. This leads to questions as to why the average is 24X higher in the priesthood.
Again, you seem to be mixing apples and oranges. Most child abusers have not been convicted. Also, most convicted child abusers are not even
registered in the offenders list. Check out your facts before you do your
math. Also, check out your math. (.24 goes into 4 sixteen and two thirds
times, not 24 times.)
Again, I did some research. While the number of sex offenders in the US in not known, we know that at least 39 million adults over the age of eighteen have been molested as children. This number does not even account for the growing number of children (under 18) who have been molested. It could be just as many. If that is the case – hopefully not – that means that 78 million people have been molested as children. Assuming there are 320 million people in the US, this means that nearly 1 in 4 people could have been molested as children. It’s not unreasonable to think that all this molestation could have been done by 4% (1 in 25) or more of the total population.
You are using the same argument against me that could be applied to yours. How many priest haven’t been caught? How many victims haven’t come forwards?
My point is that no matter how you slice it, by occupation, the priesthood has a significantly larger number people accused/convicted of abuse.
Abuse has many connotations, I’ll even go with your number of 5-6% are sexual abusers. How about the physical abuse suffered at the hands of priests by students at the schools over the past 50 years. How about the mental abuse suffered by the kids who are told their bodies are evil and natural things like masturbation are sinful and a one way ticket to hell. How about the abuse of power committed by the Papacy since its inception having had several hundred million people killed for the “crime” of heresy? The Church in all its form from Catholic to Protestant and everything in between have abused their power and their followers. There is a reason Christ’s followers are called sheep.
Dane, I know things aren’t always copacetic in life. That’s true
everywhere, including the Church. The Church is part of society. When
society becomes corrupt, the Church is influenced by it’s ill effects as
well. You see, it doesn’t live in isolation. It’s called to be in the
world while not being a part of it. “Not being a part of it” however is
where we as Christians fail as we sin. The answer is not to despair but
to repent and put our faith in God who loves us so much that He did not
spare his own son Jesus of the horrible pain and suffering he underwent
during his passion. If you haven’t already, take the time to view the
movie “The Passion of the Christ”, an account based on the New Testament gospels and a revelation from God to a saintly nun I believe.
Since its inception, corruption hasn’t been brought to the church, it started in the church. Have your faith in the invisible sky wizard, just don’t try and pawn it off as something good. Christianity has been and continues to be a more negative than positive thing in society.
Corruption is always a two-way street in any organization. Some of it starts from within and some, from without. The basic principles of faith and morality is not what causes men to become corrupt. As Jesus said, corruption (or evil) spawns from the recesses of the heart. No matter in what situation I find myself I try to remind myself of this wise saying: “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”
I wonder what’s taking so long?? The allegations must be quite serious because some parishoners received letters from the Bishop in the mail requesting donations to help cover future legal expenses.
why must they beg money from the parishoners! if they dug themselves into their own grave let them continue digging and digging and digging….
The legal system likes to drag things out as long as they can because the longer things go the more money they siphon from the taxpayers and I guess they like bleeding money away from the Catholics of Maine too to cover for this priest’s legal fees. The secrecy around the whole thing is quite unnecessary too. If the Catholic Church is collecting donations then they must be behind him and support him in whatever is happening. Just come out and tell us what this is all about so we can be supportive as well.
it doesn’t mean the Catholic Church is behind him (ah, ah, that feels good) . It means they don’t want to be spending the church’s money.
I hope people aren’t stupid enough to give money
From what I understand most of them give enough to the church every sunday to cover this type of expense, if it ever becomes a reality. I’m sure the parishoners are wondering why he has to go into hiding…is the mafia involved?? This is almost like living in NJ.
He is innocent til proven guilty…having said that, if funds are needed to help with his legal issues, then the Catholic church should cover the cost…they have alot more money than the parishioners…
really? he shouldn’t pay for his own legal costs?
Just for the heck of it, Google priests molestations vs Protestants molestations, or something of that variation. Because the Catholics have a central office, if you will, and the Protestants don’t , makes the numbers come out even in the percentages. Not by any mean an excuse, but you will find no different percentages of claims from the ins companies. If the Protestants had a central office?? And deep pockets???
My comments have nothing to do with Father Nadeua.
The Catholics set up a hierarchy where the priests were above reproach and on a level with God himself. The Vatican protects the priests because heaven forbid the church might have to pay money for doing something wrong. and in the meantime children’s lives are destroyed. What I don’t understand is why does any1 continue to support the Catholic Church? By doing so people are approving the child abuse the priests inflict on children.
LOL. Some please hold up the carpet while I get the broom.
Hold it. Would this be the same church that spends money to fight Marriage Equality? And they wonder why I, and many, many others walked away. Luckily, my faith is intact and is no longer affected by hypocrisy.
Thought you might find this interesting:
Black Pastor Blasts Obama for Supporting Gay Marriage
By GOPUSA Staff August 1, 2012 6:35 am
The leader of the Coalition for African American Pastors unleashed a barrage of criticism against Barack Obama for his support of same-sex marriage. Rev. William Owens said, “For the president to bow to the money as Judas did for Jesus Christ is a disgrace and we’re ashamed.”
Thank you for validating my decision. The further I move from organized religion, the happier I become. This pastor you mention is but one more example of the hypocrisy. He can criticize President Obama ’til hell freezes over if he wishes, but apparently he’s got a short memory re. what it took for African Americans to enjoy freedom.
Here’s some more of what Rev. William Owens said:
“The President is in the White House because of the civil rights movement, and I was a leader in that movement, and I didn’t march one inch, one foot, one yard for a man to marry a man or a woman to marry a woman.”
Some enjoy fame because of the good they do in life. Others, like the Rev, try to get attention through hatred. This Wm. Owens may have marched, but now he’s marching in place (or backwards)to deny rights to others, all under the guise of christianity. And they wonder why church attendance is down.
LOL. And remember help thy neighbor, and pay thy taxes. But on the serious side I believe that everyone should and needs a faith. And as much as we may differ on issues. I too believe there is just as much deception and coruption within the most churches. It has moved from the teaching of the good book and God’s word. Too, powerful people (or think they are) to use the church to guide weak minded people for the benifit personal gain.
Well hallelujha-we agree on something! But re. the paying the neighbor and taxes comment, your use of “thy” would mean my own, which I do pay, not begrudgingly, but willingly. I also help my neighbor and any others every chance I get. And if my neighbor were in danger of losing his home due to taxes, I’d pitch in to help there, too…just as he helped me by serving in ‘Nam and earning a Purple Heart. He didn’t take off for Canada, as our no-account governor did.
Just because a priest makes the news doesn’t mean he molested a child… not all priest molest children!! We Christians pray for dirty months like you!!
Huh? You “christians” should learn how to express yourself more clearly. I’ve prayed for years, not months, and still there are ones who leave me dumbfounded. Pun intended.
Just because this man made the news for some reason or other, all you judgers assume they may have molested a child.. The is only one man who judges and he’ll show you all that not all priest molest children!!!
The fact that it is the first thing people assume speaks volumes about Catholic Priests.
Don`t hold your breath…He moved on long ago.
Sounds like they continue to spend their parishioners’ money on great things: legal fees and political campaigns.
This is about a woman who worked in the office, and felt she was slighted.
She was not following the priest’s requests, and browbeating her coworkers.
Also there were confidentiality concerns, that he would not allow to continue.
The woman filed a complaint .
Not that I am defending this priest, frankly I think he is arrogant and has some issues….but apparently some of you haven’t read the article. Everyone has their panties in a bunch about priests and child molestation, these accusations have nothing to do with child molestation.
Its amusing how most of you are hijacking this article to go off on your various misguided attacks on the Catholic church in general. It’s easy to throw out these accusations and pass judgement while using nicknames and aliases. You obviously didn’t read the part of the article that states ”
Brenda Kielty, spokeswoman for the Maine attorney general’s office, confirmed at that time that the investigation did not involve sexual impropriety but would not comment further on the allegations.”
Go find find another anti-Catholic blog to HIJACK or another person to crucify!