FORT KENT, Maine — Parish and community members rallied Wednesday behind the Rev. James L. Nadeau, whose sudden leave of absence from his post as pastor of St. John Vianney Parish took his flock by surprise.
The voluntary leave was announced late Tuesday by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and the Maine attorney general’s office, which is conducting an investigation of unspecified allegations against the 51-year-old priest.
This is Holy Week in the Catholic Church and on Wednesday night Bishop Richard Malone was in Fort Kent to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Oils at a service attended by more than 200 parishioners.
Members of the St. John Vianney Parish were instructed by their bishop to put their faith in prayer and solidarity.
“I speak to you about the heavy heart we all have after hearing about the attorney general’s allegations,” Malone said in addressing the congregation before the start of the mass. “It is frustrating for me because I am not permitted by law to give any information about these allegations.”
Malone said he met with Nadeau on Tuesday for an hour during which he said, “the Holy Spirit helped us.”
The bishop stressed Nadeau has not been removed as pastor of St. John Vianney, rather he has stepped aside as the investigation proceeds.
“The diocese is cooperating fully with the attorney general’s office and at their request, I cannot discuss the allegations or anything about the investigation,” Malone said. “I am hopeful that the process will go smoothly in order to lead to an expeditious and just conclusion.”
Malone already was scheduled to say Mass in Fort Kent on Wednesday night but he stressed that even if he had been committed elsewhere, he would have arranged to be with the St. John Vianney parishioners.
“This is where I am supposed to be,” he said.
“I am very saddened by this whole thing,” Norma Landry, past chairwoman of the St. John Vianney Parish Council, said Wednesday morning. “Nobody really knows what is going on [and] in times like this I always turn to prayer.”
The allegations and subsequent leave taking by Nadeau, during Holy Week, could not have come at a worse time for the parish’s practicing Catholics.
“Holy Week is what we wait for all year long,” Landry said. “This is the start of our faith and for this to happen this week is really sad.”
Officials with the attorney general’s office have not commented on specifics of the allegations.
“As in any investigation, it’s important to respect the presumption of innocence,” Brenda Kielty, spokeswoman for the Maine attorney general’s office, said in the same release. “It is also important not to jump to conclusions about the nature of the allegations.
When reached Wednesday, Kielty said her office does not comment on investigations.
In Nadeau’s absence, the diocese assigned a priest temporarily to the parish to meet the spiritual needs of its members.
The Rev. Robert Vaillencourt, 58, has been assigned as temporary administrator at St. John Vianney Parish.
St. John Vianney Parish comprises St. Louis Catholic Church in Fort Kent, St. Mary Catholic Church in Eagle Lake, St. Charles Catholic Church in St. Francis and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Soldier Pond.
Parish staff and members of the St. John Vianney Parish Council would not comment on the allegations Wednesday, and office workers at the rectory were unsure where Nadeau was on Wednesday.
“We all love him,” Doris Daigle, longtime parish community member, said Wednesday afternoon at a local restaurant. “He has done so much for this parish.”
Daigle worked for Nadeau in 1987 when he was a vicar assigned to Fort Kent.
“He was wonderful to work for and was very good to me,” Daigle said. “With these allegations it is important as Christians we not judge.”
Her friend Joan Dow, who works at Mercy Home, an Eagle Lake care facility, said the entire town of Eagle Lake is behind their priest.
“I was blown away by all this when I heard about it,” said Helen Nadeau of Fort Kent. “It has got to be a mistake.”
All three women agreed Nadeau’s main concern was for his parishioners, a feeling echoed by Landry.
“I was chair of the [parish] council during the big flood of 2008,” Landry said. “All he wanted during that time was to make sure his flock was OK.”
A newly renovated St. Louis Church received major damage in May 2008 when the St. John and Fish rivers overran their banks in one of the worst floods in Fort Kent’s history.
“He was more about ‘what can I do’ than ‘what can be done for the church building,’” Landry said. “He is simply a wonderful human being for all ages — he reaches to the young, to the old and to the medium.”
As a show of support, parishioners scheduled a special saying of the rosary Wednesday afternoon at the St. Louis Catholic Church in Fort Kent.
The impromptu rosary was just one indication of the community’s faith in their priest, Daigle said.
“My grandchildren came up from downstate to get baptized by Father [Nadeau],” she said. “That should really tell you something.”
That night before the start of the Mass, Malone had a final message to the parishioners.
“I want you all to remember two things,” he said. “Prayer and solidarity – you have a wonderful faith-based community here.”
We need to keep in mind that nothing was said as to what Fr. Jim is being investigated for. Unless you know anything as to what is going on, I suggest we all just sit tight and wait. Let he or she who has not sinned cast the first stone.
I’m willing to toss a stone because I don’t see sinning as as a “black or white”, “all or nothing”, “with us or against us”, kind of issue.
I’m not a sinner when compared with the Catholic Priesthood, so I feel qualified to throw a stone. I’m hopeful that this time, the church will give us the facts rather than dealing with this ‘internally’ as they appear to be trying to do. We’ve had about 4 decades of that and all we have learned is that they can’t seem to do that responsibly.
Let’s not forget that there are other groups out there that can be given similar stereotypes based on the actions of a portion of their members. How easy it is to pass judgment against others when I’m sure there is plenty that can be said about us, me included. I’m no angel and I have my faults. However, I think anyone, including Catholic Priests, should be given the opportunity to be innocent until proven guilty like any other citizen out there, or as you would like to be treated.
This stopped being about individuals doing wrong to kids 30 years ago. This is about a corrupt, sleazy institution with a track record of looking out for itself, its money, its power and its influence, at the expense of everyone else, including your kids. And this junk has been going on since the middle ages – think “indulgences” (refer to your high school western civ book if you don’t remember). This institution is not a class act and we’d be well served to stop treating it like one.
Wow, sounds like you are describing Congress, and our kids will pay the price!
Funny, I thought it was about an individual, which is Fr. Jim.
Yeah, some of the regular posters in this BDN venue have an axe to grind against the Church, mostly for political or unnamed personal reasons. I suspect many of them are losers who simply sit around all day long complaining bitterly about those trying to make this a better life for themselves and others to boot.
You obviously have a very narrow perspective of the Church. The Church is by far the longest continuous living institution there has ever been. I doubt very much the Church could have survived as long as it did (roughly 2000 years) with the grim picture you paint about it. Also, you have no evidence to show for “this junk has been going on since the middle ages” accept for a lot of broad flimsy accusations (rehash) made against it since its inception at the time of Christ by folks intent on doing it harm. Equally serious accusations can be made against any institution that has survived not nearly as long, say, a century if you will. Besides, What do these oft repeated. tedious, and untimely accusations of yours have anything to do with content the article? Have you by any chance read the article in its entirety? It would seem to me that if you had you would have had something far better to say about Church!
Incidentally, I think I know some thing about indulgences. They’re a good thing to have to maintain ones God-given graces.
The churches political savvy has more to do with its survival than anything. It has borrowed heavily from other religions in order to assimilate those peoples it had conquered. Ever wonder why most weekly services are held on Sunday?
Sounds like you just made up an answer to comply with your distorted world views. What you said is ALL conjecture, and not very good conjecture.
Really? Services are on Sunday because a Roman Emperor converted for political reasons, not spiritual ones, and since he worshiped the Sun god, he decided to change Christianity’s holy day from Saturday to Sunday in keeping with the religion he actually believed in. Same for Christ’s birthday, you celebrate it Dec 25th when he was actually born in the spring. Why? Assimilation and conversion. The Church was bought by kings in Europe in order that the king would have “moral authority” over the people. Popes were installed by kings for the same reason. So yes, the church’s survival has had more to do with politics and forced conversions than anything. The history books show it over and over again. Even what went into the Bible was a political process.
You don’t suppose Easter Sunday, the most important event for Christian, is not the actual reason for it being the “day of rest” instead of Saturday? Incidentally, what history books are you reading? Chick comic books? Dane, most people who even bother to take time to read your comments don’t take you seriously because they know you hate the Church when they see you spending all your time spewing out garbage.
This actually has nothing to do with the article.
I do not belong to any organized religion . I have seen how religions have taken people down the wrong path . I am not say they will but it can happen. Look at Jones town for an example. They do not seem to teach people to think on thier own. If leadership is run astray people follow. Many examples I can not get into here . Anyone who thinks they can not fall into that trap probably are the most likely ones too PSY101.
Equally, it can be said that anyone who does not belong to any organized religion can fall into the trap of going it alone thinking they have the innate ability to summon all the answers needed to pursue a life of endless happiness. I can attest to that from my own personal experience during a period of several years in my lifetime. Going it alone didn’t work for me until I discovered Christ as the answer.
You may be right about going it alone. Just saying many times people can be lead in the wrong direction . KKK for instance. From the crusades to the ,inquisition ,Salem witch hunt,to the holocaust ,Jonestown to,911 All of these were religion used for evil.
Okay, I see your point.
I’m racking my brain because i want to believe you, but I just can not think of any other groups who holds as much power and influence and have committed as many crimes against humanity as the Catholic Church. It has murdered, raped, stolen, sold itself to the highest bidding king, and every other imaginable crime there is to commit. Yet rarely does it ever get punished. So please tell me of any other group who equals the Catholic Church in transgressions against humanity. (Please don’t misunderstand me, I don’t mean Catholics, I mean the men who run the Catholic Church)
4 decades ? how about forever or since the church began ?
Dude,
that comment ie. I am not a sinner compared… has now disqualified any legitimacy to anything you have written or will say. And I am sad to write this because you had some good comments on other controversial topics.
Please. Do not say that because you have only stolen a lamb and I have stolen a sheep that I should hang and you can go free. Makes it look like there is a heirarchy of crime. And if you compare yourself to the Catholic priesthood, you will look better or worse. The huge majority of the priesthood has done nothing like you suggest. Many work tirelessly for the aged, poor and disadvantaged. How’s your record?
I just wish the state would flatly say that it is NOT (__fill in the blank_____) that is in question. Speculation and rumors are in nobody’s best interest.
I have read this quote ( Let he or she who has not sinned cast the first stone.)
quite a bit lately in some of the comments posted…The end of this specific
quote is “Go and sin no more” Point being, if one quotes, then one should quote
the whole phrase/quote…This article does leave speculation…Not a good thing…
The Catholic church needs to understand that priests and nuns are human and have the same needs and desires as anyone else.. Let them be free to live their lives without reproach. To love is not a sin. I’m not implicating this priest, I’m just saying in general.
I agree with you except for the implication that the Church doesn’t understand the need for priests and nuns to love and to be loved. As a single person who attends church regularly my needs are well met.
We can all speculate, lets give the AG of Maine a chance to do his job and the truth will be revealed.
I completely agree with you, toofarnorth. There are too many judgments going around without any facts. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? So easily things get blown out of proportion when people are left in the dark.
I agree that perhaps more information should have been provided to prevent all of the assumptions that are being made, but if this situation has nothing to do with harming children, as so many people are assuming, then I believe that Fr. Jim has the right to his privacy until the situation is ready to be divulged. It’s enough that he is a well-known figure in the community, which unfortunately is not helping with all of the condemning that’s going on. What’s unfortunate for Ft. Jim is that the Catholic Priesthood has developed a negative reputation, but does that mean all Catholic priests are the same? I can think of other groups of people that can fall under similar stereotypes.
I’m a firm believer that people should be given the benefit of the doubt. We need to keep in mind that it’s the Attorney General’s office that is investigating this, not the church. Let the AG do his/her job.
Your statement is well regarded. If I may I’d like to add another thing: Our Catholic priests as a whole are a very fine and noble lot. Those who blindly criticize the Church for the relatively few that commit serious errors in judgment know very little about the Church itself and those who commit their entire lives to it in order to bring about much lasting good and harmony in the lives of people of every kind of state. For one I know I’m a better person on account of the Church.
Of course they support him, they dont need him revealing their secrets..
If you were being accused of something, would you want it plastered everywhere, only to be found innocent. This is an investigation not a public hearing! They support him not to say he is not guilty but to let him know he is loved enough to be forgiven!
Fr. Jim didnt abuse anyone and no one is accusing him of such. Shame on the Diocese and the Attorney Generals Office for not dispelling that rumor. Shame on the BDN for propagandizing the priest sex abuse scandal to sell their failing paper.
Ryan – Do you know this for sure? I know I would sleep better tonight knowing that the rumors regarding the abuse could come to an end soon. Praying for Fr. Jim – there was definitely a piece of St. Louis that was missing at mass tonight – tons of heavy hearts, too.
How the heck do you know this? Nobody else has any info, where did you get yours?
When you find out what’s really going on, you all will laugh. It’s nothing like people thought it was. TRUST ME ON THAT. The truth has started to come out just as of this morning. Father Jim will be cleared and all will return to normal. Thank the Lord above.
Please— unless you can unequivocally state WHAT you know to be absolute truth, and most importantly HOW–please consider better use of your time
The ‘how’ does not matter but trust it will all come in due time. People are all very anxious to hear the truth and know the truth but we must allow the proper course of the investigation to take place and for the officials to decide when it can be realeased to the public.
If the matter was of a sexual nature it would not be handled by the AG, it would be between the Federal court and the dioceses directly, the bishop would have removed him, rather than him taking a VOLUNTARY leave of absence.
I am praying for you Fr. Jim, no matter what the allegations are.
Why doesn’t father Nadeau (or one of his supporters) make a reader’s comment and tell us why he took a leave of absence?
Did you read the article, until the investigation is over the dioceses, Father or the AG’s office need to remain silent.
I’ve never seen a community so ignorant in their support without any facts. He may be a great priest to you, but he obviously has done something wrong to be investigated like this. Wake up Fort Kent you are smarter than this.
See above comment. We are very awake, thank-you.
We have our eyes wide open “earcandy”. It is not a matter of not seeing the truths but seeing the truths and having the courage and conviction to know a man’s sin is not always the end of his character. “Ignorant” is the person that can only see the sin, not the man behind it seeking forgiveness not forgetfulness from his community, family, and friends… IF it comes to light that he shas even done anything to be forgiven for…
Has obviously done something wrong to deserve being investigated? Well, maybe so, but I’m not willing to judge or make any personal comments against a person with a lot of personal integrity. No, the people in Fort Kent are being smart by withholding their judgment. Why say something without knowing the facts and then possibly feel sorry for rushing to judgment? Only foolish people do that.
He has (as I have read) allegation(s) leveled on him–they may or may not be true! Fr., Jim cannot be made out to be a saint–no one is!!! and if he has committed a crime or been otherwise wrong–that will come out and will be dealt with
If he is innocent—let’s hope the person who made the allegation did not do it with malice..and THAT will be dealt with
Let’s all spend our week with our work, our friends our family, ourselves– help out when we can and be grateful we live in a place where the law exists.
Really though, what’s the big secret and why can’t they disclose these allegations??? I’m with southofbangor…The church is attempting to keep something covered up!
This isn’t a decision of the Dioceses, this is policy of the AG. Back in the case of Casey Anthony the AG didn’t release any information on the case to the public prematurely. The office of the AG refused to comment on the case.
“Being investigated for unspecified allegations” is not the same as being charged with a crime. Anyone can accuse someone of wrongdoing. Until the facts come out, there should not be a rush to judgement. This goes for anyone, be it a priest, teacher, doctor, biker, or even a vagrant. That’s our justice system.
You know, Gary, I agree with you totally. And what you are saying needs to be proclaimed in this very skeptical world of self-interest and self-absorbtion. The good news is that many posters here are coming forth with essentially the message you have just shared.
Let us pray;
Judica me, Deus, et discerne causam meam de gente non-sancta: ab homine iniquo et doloso erue me.
We’re sorry, the Invisible Sky Wizard you are trying to call is not in right now, because he doesn’t exist.
again this argument has nothing to do with the allegations.
What the heck is St. John Vianney?
It’s a circuit or the R. C. churches in Ft. Kt., St Francis, Eagle Lake and Soldier Pond. It is the name of the org. that includes those 4 Catholic parishes.
If the investigation WASN’T over sex allegations, the diocese would say so quickly enough. And here’s an idea-bad people often do very good things and good people often do very bad things. The fact he has done some good things in his career doesn’t mean he is incapable of bad acts.
If it was the Bishop would have removed him from Fort Kent.
You put me in the position of defending the Catholic Church, not something I usually do. Defending religion in general is quite distasteful to me, but let’s be fair. Otherwise we become what we condemn.
But, they (the AG’s office and the church) are not saying squat. To imply that that means sexual crimes is illogical. They have not eliminated financial crimes, or even crimes he may have heard about in somebody’s confessions. Maybe he is an accessory to a crime, or a witness or who knows about a crime. Maybe he married somebody who was already married.
The Attorney General’s office does not investigate petty crimes.
That is not true, they investigate state cases. It is hard to say what is petty or not because that is a subjective term.
Well, let us say then that the Attorney General’s office only investigates serious crime – which is also subjective. But I think we all know what a serious crime is. It is much more serious than shop lifting or a parking ticket. Have you ever heard of a felony?
Serious= subjective term, really the attorney general investigates a wide range of crimes, it isn’t their job to determine if something is worth investigating, it is their job to investigate crimes. They investigate crimes that the state deems worthy.
I have read all your posts Bill. It baffles me how you can judge Fr. Jim without knowing all the facts. When the truth comes out, you will owe him an apology, because the allegations have nothing to do with sexually abusing children. Yesterday, our parish got together at 4 pm to pray for Fr. The church was full. That alone shows how much our shepard is loved. Fr. Jim is a man of character and loves serving his flock. Bill….I pray for you as well. I pray for all those who bash the the name of Fr. Jim and who claim to know what the allegations are.
Yes exactly, Lucy! Very well said. Many people will need to eat their hateful words. They want so badly to know ‘why’ and ‘how’ but then claim they know more of the facts then those that truly do. I agree, I will pray for these people as well.
I was raised Catholic but am not a practicing Catholic anymore for my own reasons. I do not have much faith for the Catholic Church and how it is run. That is my feeling, my opinion and I have a right to this like you have your right to yours. But, I do agree with you Lucy. I have met Fr Jim and found him to be a wonderful person….there are accusations out there, they could be false accusations or accusations that can be proven; time will tell on that. But we need to look at Fr Jim as an innocent man until the AG presents his/her claims. Til then, all this bashing back and forth does no one any good; especially Fr Jim. He does need everyone’s prayers and support, we are all human, we all make mistakes and we all need forgiveness.
Prove it.
http://www.ehow.com/about_6572524_job-description-attorney-general.html
I have been reading all the comments and “ass”umptions that people have felt it their duty to post… Well, in the same fashion, I feel I need to post what is so wrong with the asinine comments that people have graced this page with. First off, I grew up in the valley and have never considered myself or others there to be ignorant or naive to the “real” world. Secondly, we all know lately the only news we hear about the Cathothic church is that another priest has let temptation guide him down the wrong path. That doesn’t mean that is the case here. The authorities have not released any information because it’s an investigation! No one ever hears ALL the details of a murder case until all evidence is found and analyzed. Don’t “ass”ume to know what this man’s allegations are! Third, “do not judge, lest ye be judge in the eyes of the Lord”. Fr. Jim is no different than you or me. A human that can make mistakes. The support that his community has shown in the last two days has only solidified is character even more. Don’t pigeon hole him as a bad man, not knowing exactly what he has alledgidly done. Fourth, and lastly on a personal note, I too have heard from a very good source, the allegations have nothing to do with a child, and also think, shame on the AG of Maine and the Diocese for not dispelling the rumor of that. Not only to clear that from peoples minds, but to show their not trying to hide facts from a community that wants to support Fr. Jim.
I couldnt have said it better myself Heather. I have just one thing to add. To anyone who posts thier comments, please, check your facts before you post. There is way too much misinformation floating around.
And to you Heather, “Cudos”.
Also if you worked for the AG like you claimed you did you would be aware that they don’t discuss allegations prematurely, and they also prevent any other party’s from doing the same.
IF you did know this then why did you ask for a statement from Fr. Nadeau in one of your earlier comments?
Good news travels fast among those of us who are part of the “click.” And yes, I am the one who submitted expert testimony to LURC regarding the proposed Plum Creek development.
Um lol? What are you even talking about?
and i think you mean clique.
Why would anyone believe anything that Bronze age nomads have to say?
There are some good things about friars… they perfected the brewing of beer.
Let’s not convict anyone here. Let the AG do his work first.
Father Bob Vaillencourt is one of the finest priests in the Dioceses and will help the parishioners to heal and deal with this difficult situation. I’ve known him for years and there is no priest I have more faith in to act as Jesus, he is my friend. Dominus vobiscum; et cum spiritu tuo.
Yes….we are blessed to have him!!
Take one “no Nothing” to recognize another, eh?
I wish BDN practiced what they preached.
Let’s get a few things straight:
1) If speculation is the norm for these instances, I’m going to assume that those bashing a man they haven’t met with accusations that admit to speculation are uneducated, inbred hillbillies who eat lobster near the moonshine shack while watching Cletus pull a twitch with his skidder. That would be based on the same information they have; speculation from abstract sources and conjecture. But, it’s what everybody tells me about them…
2) Fr. Jim (whether guilty of a crime or not) has shown himself to be a man of integrity and a pillar of the community he serves. Is he perfect? No. However, he has done more for the community than all of you combined ever would. If found guilty of an impropriety, his legacy will still reflect all of the positive changes he helped facilitate while in his position. If found innocent, I would expect the above hillbillies to crawl back into whatever holes it was they came from and remain silent. FYI being an expert witness to a land use case doesn’t make you an attorney, a private investigator, or a knowledgeable source of information. Keep your comment to your “clique” of “know-nothings”
C) For those of you paying attention…. This isn’t about the church, this is an investigation into an ALLEGATION for an individual. Your issues with the injustices of people 2000 years ago without knowing the norms and values of the people are entirely baseless. Barabas was released and Jesus crucified for being “King of the Jews”. While I can thank God for his sacrifice, I don’t understand how many of you can rush to judgment without having met this man or knowing any facts about the investigation. As for being investigated without dirty hands, it wouldn’t be the first time a man was falsely accused. Think of the number of innocent men imprisoned for crimes they were later exonerated for. Many of them implicated for murder or rape with many false witnesses. DNA later proves their innocence, but it’s impossible for the innocent to be accused?
4) I’m hoping and praying that Fr. Jim is given the opportunity for a fair and equitable investigation. Those who rush to judgment do nothing but slander a man for no cause other than to feel a little more important in their trivial lives. If bashing a man makes you feel better, might I suggest a trip to Wal-Mart or an auto recording of Jersey Shore so that you may feel better about yourselves. I would have suggested Jerry Springer, however, I’m pretty sure those issues would hit too close to home to see the irony.
I wonder if we will see quick apologies to some the quick judgments in light of this statement from Fr. Jim’s Attorney.
A press release that just came in about Father Nadeau … Forgive the caps, this is word for word:”IN RESPONSE TO THE SPECULATION SURROUNDING THE INITIATION OF AN INVESTIGATION OF FATHER JAMES NADEAU BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE, AS RECENTLY REPORTED IN THE MEDIA, WE ARE ISSUING THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON HIS BEHALF:WHILE WE ARE UNABLE TO COMMENT ON THE SUBSTANCE OF THE INVESTIGATION AT THIS TIME, WE CAN STATE UNEQUIVOCALLY WHAT IT IS NOT ABOUT.
WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE THAT THE INVESTIGATION HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING SEXUAL IN NATURE.
FATHER NADEAU HAS AGREED TO A VOLUNTARY LEAVE OF ABSENCE DURING THE PENDENCY OF THE INVESTIATION. WE LOOK FORWARD TO AN EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION AND ARE CONFIDENT THAT FATHER NADEAU WILL BE COMPLETELY EXONERATED.
FINALLY, FATHER NADEAU AND HIS FAMILY ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OUTPOURING OF LOVE, PRAYERS, AND SUPPORT DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. HE LOOKS FORWARD TO RETURNING TO HIS PARISH AND THE PEOPLE HE SERVES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
SCOTT G. HUNTER, ESQUIRE
SOLMAN & HUNTER, P.A.
CARIBOU ME
RICHARD S. BERNE, ESQUIRE
LAW OFFICE OF RICHARD S. BERNE, LLC
PORTLAND ME”