Fr. Lawrence A. Sabatino

A Lewiston family told the bishop and police in 1958 that Sabatino had sexually abused their 6-year-old daughter. The bishop transferred him to St. Peter’s parish. At least 13 women had come forward as of 2005 to allege that he abused them as children, at ages ranging from 6-17. During much of his time at St. Peter’s, Sabatino was supervised by another priest, Joseph Romani, who has also been accused of abuse. Sabatino died in 1990. A woman filed suit in 12/2022 against the Diocese, claiming Sabatino sexually abused her beginning when she was age 7 in 1964. She said the priest would play hide-and-seek with her and other girls in the church basement, pick one girl to hide with, then sexually abuse that child. In 3/2023 six women filed lawsuits claiming abuse by Sabatino as girls, ages 5-11, during 1958-1967.