11 Accused in This Religious Order
- The Day [New London CT] 10.09.01
- Associated Press 10.12.01
- Associated Press 05.12.02
- The Day 05.14.02
- The Day 02.11.04
- The Day 02.04.07
- Connecticut Law Tribune 01.12.18
- Burlington Free Press 01.18.18
- AP via US News and World Report 01.19.18
- Diocese of Norwich List 02.22.19
- Edmundites List 08.07.19
- Diocese of Burlington List 08.22.19
- Seven Days 09.11.19
- Seven Days 09.25.19
- The Day 11.01.19
Fr. Laurence A. Boucher
Named publicly by the Edmundites on their list 8/7/2019. Report in 2015 of abuse in FL in the 1960s. The Official Catholic Directory shows him in the 1960s at a parish in Apalachacola, FL in what was then the diocese of Mobile-Birmingham. Died 5/27/1972.
Fr. Paul A. Gopaul
Worked in VT, NM, TX, MO, MN, CA. Visiting professor at St. John's Abbey in MN in 1970 when he allegedly drugged and raped a student. Accusation made to the Abbey in 1971 by the boy's father. The boy died by suicide in 2/1971. Gopaul died in 1988 while working in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Allegation made again by the victim's sisters in 2006. Abbey admits a complaint in 2002. The 1971 complaint was found in archives in 2006. As many as 10 other victims. Settlement in 2002. Included on the Santa Fe archdiocese's list 5/19/2021.
Fr. John A. Lanoue
Named publicly as accused by the Edmundites on their list 8/7/19. It notes an allegation received in 1996, of abuse in Vermont in 1954. Taught history at St. Michael's College until 1975. Died 6/16/80. Suit filed in 1997, claiming that in 1955 Lanoue abused a boy who attended Holy Family Parish in Essex Junction. The boy's father allegedly confronted Lanoue in the presence of St. Michael's college president. Rev. Francis Moriarity, and Lanoue admitted the abuse.
Fr. Edward A. Leary
Named publicly as credibly accused on the Mobile archdiocese's list 12/6/2018. 'Misconduct' noted to have occurred 1970-1972, while assigned to Our Lady Queen of Peace in Selma. Retired in 1995. Per the Edmundites' list 8/7/2019, the allegation was received in 1998; not substantiated at the time. Died 4/4/2000.
Fr. Charles G. Many
Accused in 1986 of sexual misconduct with a boy in VT in 1978, while assigned to Norwich CT diocese. In 1994 another young man alleged abuse by Many in CT some time 1978-1981. One suit settled for $850K in 2001 but judge ordered new trial. Resigned from priesthood in 1994. Laicized 7/25/1995. Suit filed in 2015 by a man alleging abuse by Many when he was an altar boy late 1970s-early 1980s at Sacred Heart in Groton. File in order's archives showed they knew in at least in 1976 that Many was "receiving boys in his room." Diocese and Order agreed to $900K settlement. Many denied wrongdoing. Included on the Norwich diocese's list in 2/2019. On the Edmundites list 8/7/2019. On the Burlington VT diocese's list 8/22/2019. A suit was filed in Fall 2019 claiming abuse of a boy, age 7, during confession at Sacred Heart in Groton.
Assignments:
Sources:
Fr. Paul A. Pinard
Ordained in VT for the Edmundites. Per obituary, worked in AL 1960-1961 in a Selma parish and as Assistant Director of the Don Bosco Boys Club in Quebec parishes 1961-1964, 1969-1972, and 1989-1991. Director of St. Anne's Shrine in VT 1964-1968 and parish administrator in Alburgh 1967-1969. St. Michael's College board member 1984-1988. Procurator 1991-1995 of the Edmundite Generalate in VT, procurator and treasurer of St. Edmund's Retreat in Mystic CT 1995-2004. Removed from parish in Quebec in 1991 after an allegation of sexual misconduct with minors in the 1980s. Substantiated. In 1/2005 the Norwich bishop learned of allegations and asked the Order to remove him from diocese. Retired to Order's residence in FL in 2004, to Selma AL in 2013, and to VT in 2016. Died 6/12/2017. On Norwich diocese's list 2/22/2019. On Edmundites list 8/7/2019.
Fr. Paul I. Plouffe
Named publicly by the Edmundite order on its list 8/7/2019. Allegation received in 2006 of abuse in VT in 1946. Plouffe died 8/22/2004.
Fr. John A. Stankiewicz
Accusations "quietly" made public by the Edmundites on a list posted to its website around 9/19. Retired 1989. In 1992 two people reported to the order abuse in the 1950s by Stankiewicz. Allegations substantiated. The order paid for the victims' counseling. Stankiewicz was inducted in 1994 to the order's St. Michael's College Athletic Hall of Fame. Died 1/12/2000.
Fr. Edward J. Stapleton
Named publicly as accused by the Edmundite order on its list 8/7/19. Allegation received in 2004 of abuse in VT in 1974. Stapleton died 7/14/83, age 63.
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Fr. Aime J. Trahan
Named publicly as accused by the Edmundite order on its list 8/7/19. Allegation received in 2004 of abuse of a minor in VT in the 1950s. Trahan died 8/14/84.
Sources:
Fr. Nelson B. Ziter
Removed from ministry in 1993 after a man alleged physical and sexual abuse 1974-1979 while Ziter was pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Selma. Sued in 1994. Suit dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Ziter founded the Boys and Girls Club in Slma. Assignments in AL included Queen of Peace in Selma, St. Philip Neri in Belle Fontaine, St. Elizabeth in Selma, and Our Lady of Lourdes in Mobile. Director of spiritual affairs at St. Michael's College in VT 1961-1967 and worked in parishes in Swanton and Williston. Ziter died 7/7/2000. Included the Mobile archdiocese's list 12/6/2018. Per the Edmundites' list 8/7/2019, the allegation was substantiated.