Maine’s Catholics hopeful for change

PORTLAND – Some Maine Catholics say they hope that Boston’s newly named archbishop will bring a wave of change, and not just to Massachusetts.

While Maine has no direct ties with the Boston archdiocese, Maine’s Bishop Joseph Gerry has been known to take cues from Boston’s former leader Cardinal Bernard Law, observers say. The archdiocese named Bishop Sean Patrick O’Malley as Law’s successor on Monday.

The Catholic reform group Voice of the Faithful released a statement Monday saying it hopes O’Malley will reach out to victims of clerical sex abuse and prompt Maine’s diocese to do the same.

“We’re hoping [O’Malley] can lay some groundwork and open some doors that can be replicated here in Portland,” said Michael Sweatt, co-founder of the local chapter of the lay group Voice of the Faithful.

In a short written statement, Gerry praised O’Malley, calling him “a true son of St. Francis, a missionary at heart and very dedicated to the Church and the proclamation of the Word.”

“Archbishop O’Malley will continue to help the Archdiocese of Boston become a sign of God’s infinite holiness and a living Gospel for all to read,” Gerry said.

No mention was made about the priest sex abuse scandal in Maine, where three priests have been removed in connection with alleged sexual abuse.

There is only one active lawsuit, compared to about 500 pending in Massachusetts. But accusations of sexual abuse have arisen at Maine parishes across the state, and the Voice of the Faithful wants Gerry to visit each one and speak to parishioners. The group also wants Gerry to release the names of abusive priests.

The Voice of the Faithful said it is also hopeful that O’Malley will give members wide berth to meet on church property – and that Gerry will follow his example. Currently, only pastors in Belfast, Ellsworth and Saco have allowed Voice of the Faithful members to hold meetings on church property, Sweatt said. Portland members meet at a local elementary school.