Maine 1958 to 2004: The Diocese of Portland did not inform parishes about accused priests; according to the Attorney General this put children at risk

In February 2004 the Maine Attorney General presented a report on abuse allegations against priests and other clergy of the Catholic Church in the state. The Diocese of Portland had reviewed its files for 75 years. Among others, 20 living and 15 deceased priests of the diocese were reported. No case was still prosecutable, and the office found no criminal liability of the diocese. It did find, however, that the diocese returned accused priests to parishes after treatment, did not inform parishes until 2002 and demanded confidentiality. This put children at risk. A priest moved in 1958 for abusing a six-year-old girl went on abusing until 1972, according to ten women.

Period

1958-2004 (46 years)

Country

United States

Institutions

Diocese of Portland (Maine)

Category

Sexual abuse, Cover-up

Level of evidence

A Primary source · what does this mean?

Background

Response of the Church

1. The office did not find criminal liability of the diocese. It did, however, find: in at least six cases from 1958 to 1993 an accused priest was returned to his parish after treatment or reassigned with restrictions; with one exception the diocese did not inform parishioners until 2002. The diocese routinely requested confidentiality in settlements. A priest publicly prosecuted in 1984 was not restricted in his contact with children until 1995. Since it became a mandatory reporter in 1997, according to the report, it routinely reported suspected abuse.
   Evidence: Office of the Attorney General, State of Maine (G. Steven Rowe), Abschnitt The Diocese Response

   „the Office of the Attorney General concluded that there was no criminal liability on the part of the Diocese“

   Evidence: Office of the Attorney General, State of Maine (G. Steven Rowe), Abschnitt The Diocese Response

   „There are at least six instances from 1958 to 1993 in which a priest subject to a complaint of sex abuse was sent for treatment and then returned to his parish or transferred to another clerical assignment with restrictions.“

   Evidence: Office of the Attorney General, State of Maine (G. Steven Rowe), Abschnitt The Diocese Response

   „but, with the exception of one case, the Diocese did not convey such information to the parishioners until 2002“

   Evidence: Office of the Attorney General, State of Maine (G. Steven Rowe), Abschnitt The Diocese Response

   „The Diocese has routinely requested confidentiality as part of monetary settlements with alleged victims.“

   Evidence: Office of the Attorney General, State of Maine (G. Steven Rowe), Abschnitt The Diocese Response

   „the Diocese took no action to restrict his contact with children until 1995, notwithstanding a highly publicized criminal prosecution of him in 1984“

   Evidence: Office of the Attorney General, State of Maine (G. Steven Rowe), Abschnitt The Diocese Response

   „it appears that the Diocese has routinely reported suspected abuse to the appropriate district attorney since it became a mandatory reporter in 1997“

See also

• 1940-2002 · 62 years

  Sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Boston (Attorney General's report 2003)

  • United States
  • Sexual abuse
  • Cover-up
• 1962-2003 · 41 years

  New Hampshire 1962 to 2003: The Diocese of Manchester acknowledged that the state likely had evidence to convict it of child endangerment

  • United States
  • Sexual abuse
  • Cover-up

Original documents to read

1. Government report
   Office of the Attorney General, State of Maine (G. Steven Rowe): A Report by the Attorney General On the Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Children by Priests and Other Clergy Members Associated with the Roman Catholic Church in Maine, 24 February 2004. Original · Archive copy (retrieved 30 Oct 2026)

Last changed on 30 October 2026. Is something missing or wrong? Suggest an addition or correction.