Abuse numbers revealed Diocese paid $2.6M in claims since 1976

PORTLAND – Allegations of sexual abuse were made against 41 Roman Catholic priests in Maine by 86 victims between 1950 and 2001, the Diocese of Portland reported Thursday.

Release of the most detailed figures made public since three priests accused of sexual abuse were removed from their parishes two years ago came on the heels of the announcement of a new bishop for the diocese, which comprises the entire state.

Auxiliary Bishop Richard Malone from the Archdiocese of Boston was named Tuesday to succeed Bishop Joseph Gerry, 75, who is retiring.

The diocese has contributed information to a national survey being conducted by John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. The national findings are due Feb. 27, but some of the 191 U.S. dioceses have released their own numbers.

The Portland diocese said no financial records regarding settlements with abuse victims are available before 1976, but since then some $2.6 million has been paid in claims.

About $1.35 million was paid in settlements and $1.25 million was spent on victims’ assistance and counseling and legal expenses. The diocese’s insurance paid the bulk of that, with $200,000 coming directly from the diocese’s investments and reserve accounts.

Overall, the 52-year review found that of the 41 priests against whom allegations were made, allegations against six were determined to be unfounded and the remaining 35 were reported as found or undetermined. Of those 35 priests, 15 are dead, 12 have no ministry, seven have left the priesthood, and the identity of one could not be determined because of the way the allegation was reported.

From 1950 to 2001, 1,050 priests worked in the diocese.

Earlier, a state prosecutor had announced there were 51 priests accused of abuse in a review of church records going back 75 years in Maine.

The majority of victims, 30 people, reported that they were abused in the 1970s. Seventeen reported that they were abused in the 1950s; 22 in the 1960s; 12 in the 1980s; and five from 1990 to 1993. The last substantiated instance of abuse occurred in 1989, according to the diocese.

Information about the scope of sexual abuse in the diocese over the past half century has been mailed to 82,000 Catholic households statewide this week.

Gerry has faced criticism for his handling of sex abuse cases after the scandal erupted in Boston.

The criticism continued Thursday as a spokesman for the dissident group Voice of the Faithful chastised him over his continued refusal to release the names of the accused priests and the parishes which they served.

Michael Sweatt also said he was disturbed that the magnitude of the payouts by the church did not raise flags for diocese staff and finance committee members, in addition to the diocese leadership.

“I think this report with the data is very devastating for Catholics and non-Catholics alike,” he said.

Gerry encouraged people aware of abuse to report it. His letter directs callers to the diocese’s support and assistance minister, Susanne Sturm, at 1-866-829-4437, or to the co-chancellor, Sister Rita-Mae Bissonnette, at 773-6471.

The Associated Press contributed to this report