Fr. Thomas G. Rainforth

Parish priest, Boy Scouts chaplain. Accused in 7/2002 by of sexually abusing a boy in 1975. Placed on leave. The abuse allegedly involved fondling and occurred one time at Rainforth’s lake house. The accuser was among a number of other boys invited to sleep over at the lake house by Rainforth, who provided them with alcohol. Rainforth was returned to ministry in 8/2002 after the Diocese said that he was drunk and that his behavior was inappropriate but did not meet the definition of abuse. Accused in a 2004 lawsuit by another man of sexually abusing him as a boy. His claim was included in a 2/2005 $5M settlement with 27 plaintiffs, most of whom were abused by Rev. James Hanley. Rainforth’s accuser later died of a drug overdose. In a 12/2019 lawsuit Rainforth was accused of sexually abusing another boy in the 1970s, who also alleged abuse by Hanley. Rainforth died 7/31/2019 in the U.S. Virgin Islands.