MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Globe
By Matt Rocheleau | GLOBE CORRESPONDENT SEPTEMBER 16, 2013
Prosecutors will not file charges against a Catholic priest from Lynn who was accused one year ago of sexually abusing a child, according to the priest’s lawyer. But the Archdiocese of Boston said it will continue its own investigation. The Rev. James E. Gaudreau said he hopes the archdiocese will soon allow him to return to his duties as pastor of Saint Joseph Parish.
“My conscience was always clear,” said a statement from Gaudreau, who has been on leave since the investigation began. “I knew that I was innocent of any wrongdoing. I was also confident that, in time, I would be thoroughly exonerated.”
“Now that the cloud of suspicion has been lifted by civil authorities, I look forward to a prompt and equally just vindication by the canonical authorities of the Archdiocese of Boston,” he added.
Gaudreau will remain on leave and restricted from public ministry until the archdiocese investigation is complete, said a statement from Terrence Donilon, a spokesman for the archdiocese. He did not comment on how long that process could take.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.