Allegations of Abuse Put Plymouth Priest on Leave, Daily News Tribune, February 23, 2009

Allegations of Abuse Put Plymouth Priest on Leave

Daily News Tribune
February 23, 2009

http://www.dailynewstribune.com/archive/x585932075/Allegations-of-abuse-put-Plymouth-priest-on-leave

Rev. Kenneth LeBlanc

PLYMOUTH — The pastor of a Plymouth church has been placed on leave by the Archdiocese of Boston in the wake of allegations he abused a minor 30 years ago.

The Rev. Kenneth LeBlanc of St. Peter’s Church is being investigated by the Archdiocese. He will remain on leave during the investigation.

The allegations stem from the time the priest was serving at Most Blessed Sacrament in Wakefield. He also was assigned to parishes in Hudson, Medway, Needham, Newton and Waltham.

He was pastor of Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church in Newton from 2002 to January 2005, when he was assigned to St. Peter's.

A woman who claims that she and other young girls were sexually abused by the Rev. LeBlanc, has set up a Web site, pedophilepriest.org, designed to expose him and to reach out to other alleged victims.

The alleged victim writes on her Web site that the Rev. LeBlanc "would force us to sit by his side so he could put his hands on us while he was driving and go to a secluded area make one of us undress while he took pictures.” She also claims that he would bring victims to his home, “where he would conduct deplorable behavior leaving us paralyzed with fear and shock.”

In a letter to the Rev. LeBlanc on the Web site, she says, "I’ve lived my entire adult life with these memories and not having known what to do with them I have tortured myself with guilt for not protecting other young girls who may have or still have yet to cross your path."

The woman also posted what she says was the pastor's response, which contains an apology but no admission of wrongdoing.

The Patriot Ledger does not name alleged victims of sex crimes unless they publicly identify themselves. The woman has identified herself on the Web site, but could not be reached to confirm the information.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley expressed his sadness over this new allegation in a statement released Sunday.

"The decision to place Fr. LeBlanc on administrative leave represents the Archdiocese’s commitment to the safety of all parties and does not represent a determination of Fr. LeBlanc’s guilt or innocence as it pertains to this allegation," the press release said. "The Archdiocese will work to resolve this case as expeditiously as possible and in a manner that is fair to all parties."

The Rev. LeBlanc joined the Plymouth parish after in 2005 after serving for 2 years at Mary Immaculate of Lourdes in Newton.

BishopAccountability.org, which maintains a database of child sex abuse allegations against priests, reports that more than 4,300 clergymen were accused between 1950 and 2002, including more than 200 in the Boston Archdiocese.