PORTLAND (ME)
The Maine Wire [Portland ME]
January 27, 2026
By Ted Cohen
A group of Catholic parishioners from southern Maine say they have been prevented a second time from meeting with a Falmouth priest to discuss his qualifications.
Paul Kendrick of Freeport and Michael Sweatt of North Yarmouth, co-founders of Voice of the Faithful in Maine, said Rev. Steven Cartwright has now cancelled twice on them.
As baptized Catholics they said they can’t fathom why their clerical leader won’t meet with them.
Cartright has now reportedly put off two proposed meetings with the group.
Though Kendrick previously said he saw no reason to explain to Cartwright what its representatives want to talk to him about, he and Sweatt have since done so.
“We hope to determine if you, in your role as a Catholic priest and pastor, are qualified to be a vibrant and effective spiritual director,” they wrote him.
“It’s just about two guys wanting to meet with their pastor,” Kendrick told The Maine Wire.
Cartwright referred questions to the state’s Catholic diocese.
The Maine Wire has reached out to a diocese spokesperson.
Voice of the Faithful, founded more than 20 years ago, calls itself “persistent, outspoken advocates for meaningful justice for terribly wounded victims of sexual abuse by priests and church workers.”
Cartwright is pastor of Parish of the Holy Eucharist in Falmouth.
“In the end, we will insist that Cartwright explain to us in writing why he won’t meet with us,” Kendrick said.
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