Editor’s note: The following is a statement presented March 9 by The Most Rev. Joseph J. Gerry, bishop of Portland, about sexual abuse by Maine priests.

.

The Rule of St. Benedict exhorts the brothers in the monastery to “bear each other’s burdens” as a way of growing in Christian charity. I know that many of you throughout the Diocese have felt the burden of sadness at the revelations of sexual abuse of minors by Fr. Michael Doucette and Fr. John Audibert. These revelations leave us all embarrassed, humiliated, and disheartened. Uppermost in our minds is the pain and suffering endured in silence for many years by the victims of these priests.

Their stories demand our attention and respect. At times the disclosure of wrongdoing by priests is greeted by denial or disbelief. It is difficult for any of us to imagine that a priest, a person dedicated to imitating Jesus, could possibly commit such horrible crimes. The sexual abuse of a minor is contrary to everything the Church teaches and contrary to the very nature of the priesthood itself. Children and young people represent our communities’ and our Church’s greatest treasure. Sadly, we know that abuse of young people by priests has taken place in the past. For this I once again apologize to victims and to the Church. I ask you to join me in praying for the healing of victims and their families.

It is important for me to explain the reasons why I returned these two priests to parish ministry several years ago. I did so after Fr. Doucette and Fr. Audibert had been initially removed from ministry upon receiving the allegations made against them in 1991 and 1993 respectively. Fr. Doucette was returned to parish ministry in 1992. Fr. Audibert was return to parish ministry in 1997.

In both cases, this took place only after the professionals entrusted with their treatment assured me there was no evidence of a pattern of misconduct with minors. Only after consultation with an independent review board of two forensic psychologists, two parents, a child protection worker, an attorney and two priests were these priests reassigned. Their past was not kept secret.

Select parishioners were informed of the wrongdoing committed by Fr. Audibert and Fr. Doucette and asked to function as monitors. In the light of these steps, I considered it safe to return them to parish ministry with the restriction of no unsupervised contact with minors. People are asking why these men were returned to ministry when a secular employer under similar circumstances would typically not have given them a second chance. The reason is because we are a faith-based organization; we believe that sincerely repentant people can change their lives with God’s help.

Considering the recent events in Boston, I felt these steps would not be considered a sufficient safeguard in the public’s mind. Given this changed public climate, a month ago I asked the two priests to inform their respective parishes of their past. I also asked parishioners for their input as to whether these priests might be able to continue functioning effectively in their parishes given these revelations.

I must say I was often deeply moved and heartened by the messages I received from parishioners. Despite the clear condemnation of the wrongdoing committed in the past, there was also a consistent message of forgiveness and belief in a person’s ability to reform one’s life with the help of God’s grace. I was especially touched by the testimony of survivors of sexual abuse by family members who were willing to say they were prepared to accept the ministry of both priests. Parents of children and teenagers also were willing to say that they could forgive the breach of trust which had taken place in the past. The two parish councils likewise were in large part supportive of the continuation of the ministry of each of their pastors.

It has been very inspiring to hear how the Gospel message of forgiveness and reconciliation has taken root in these communities of the St. John Valley. At the same time, there were some parishioners who felt that no priest with a past allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor should continue to minister in the Church in any way. I understand how difficult this process was for the parishioners but their input has been invaluable to me. Given these legitimate and weighty beliefs on both sides of the issue, I wanted all of you to know that this has been a very difficult decision for me to make.

As you may recall I implemented a policy of public disclosure of past offenses of these two priests. This was to insure that parishioners were fully aware, while encouraging other victims, if there were any, to come forward. My office received a second complaint of sexual impropriety against Fr. Doucette on Wednesday, February 27. I only learned of this new complaint the evening of Wednesday, March 6. Msgr. Marc Caron who visited the parishes of St. Agatha, Sinclair, and Frenchville over the weekend of March 2-3 only learned of this information on the evening of Wednesday, March 6 as well. While the complaint made clear it was not a report of sexual abuse, it did allege that Fr. Doucette had made improper sexual advances, occurring before Fr. Doucette was removed and sent for treatment in 1991. Although it is distressing to receive reports of this nature, it is exactly the way the process was intended to work. As I have stated in the past, I want victims to come forward and report.

The substance of the new allegation made against Fr. Doucette now makes it impossible in my mind for both Fr. Doucette and Fr. Audibert to minister to the public and maintain public trust with such allegations coming forward or potentially coming forward. Sadly, the uncertainty these reports create places their ministry under suspicion which renders them, in my opinion, ineffective as leaders of the Christian community. It is important that parishioners have absolute confidence in their pastors. The most recent allegation of misconduct has made it more difficult for the public to have confidence in both priests. Having gone through this experience, I have now concluded there would always be a cloud of possible future allegations.

Consequently, events of the past two weeks have made it impossible for me to follow the recommendations of the respective parish councils. Friday evening, both Fr. Doucette and Fr. Audibert were informed that I was placing them on administrative leave effective immediately and removing them from the office of pastor of their respective parishes. In addition, I felt it necessary to forbid them from exercising any ministry. I felt this was the most responsible course of action to take in the light of new information which has been disclosed. I do not want to leave the parishes of St. Thomas in Madawaska, Ste. Agathe in St. Agatha, St. Joseph in Sinclair and Ste. Luce in Frenchville without the ministry of a priest. It is my intention to name interim pastors to these parishes until two permanent replacements can be named.

Given our experience over the last month, I have now decided that there will be no public ministry in the future for any priest with a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor or who has acknowledged sexual contact with a minor.

In the meantime, I want to reiterate emphatically that we want victims to come forward. When victims come forward, we pay for counseling with a licensed therapist of their choice without requiring proof of the allegation. We notify the Department of Human Services and the local district attorney of these allegations. We remove any priest upon presentation of a credible allegation and demand a psychological evaluation of this priest. If necessary, we provide appropriate treatment and therapy for this priest so that abusive patterns of behavior can be addressed to the extent possible. I want you to know that all candidates for the priesthood have been undergoing rigorous psychological testing and screening for two decades. All employees of our Catholic schools are fingerprinted.

This summer we will initiate a sexual abuse prevention program called “Protecting God’s Children.” These nationally developed training sessions will help catechists, youth ministers, teachers, parents, and children in each of our 135 parishes identify potentially abusive patterns of behavior by any adult.

They will also train adults and young people on best practices for promoting the safety and security of children. In addition, we will publish advertisements encouraging victims to come forward.

I do not believe that we will pass through the present purification of the priesthood quickly or easily. Although more recent allegations have been reported to public authorities, my office will soon be transmitting to the district attorney in Cumberland County information regarding older allegations of sexual misconduct with minors that were not previously reported. As the district attorneys of the State fulfill their mandate to prosecute crime and promote public safety, this may once again bring to the surface feelings of shame and discouragement among us. When so tempted, let us remember the inspiring priests of our own past, those who were models of charity and zeal for us. We cannot forget what we have inherited from them. While it may appear for a time that sin abounds, grace too abounds all the more. The same Lord who inspired those heroic priests of the past is by our side as well, urging us to “Put out into the deep!” We do not know where this future will lead us, but we can be certain that the Risen Lord will be leading us through this present night’s storm.

Please remember the victims of abuse in your prayers. Encourage one another and your priests with the assurances of faith. You and your families have been especially close to me in prayer over the past several weeks. May you know the comfort of the Lord’s presence in this time of difficulty in our Diocese.