FORT KENT, Maine — Members of St. John Vianney Parish could have their former spiritual leader back in time for Christmas following word Thursday from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland that the Rev. James Nadeau is returning after a 7-month voluntary leave of absence.
Nadeau stepped down from his position as pastor of the St.John Valley parish in the wake of a Maine attorney general’s office investigation into possible embezzlement of parish funds.
Earlier this month, that office decided to not pursue criminal charges against Nadeau, citing lack of evidence supporting the allegations which had been brought by an unidentified third party.
Nadeau met for two hours in Portland Thursday afternoon with Bishop Richard J. Malone, Apostolic administrator of the diocese, according to Dave Guthro, communications director with the diocese.
Guthro declined to provide further details about the investigation, but said Thursday’s meeting between Malone and Nadeau “went very well. The two men wanted to keep that meeting a private conversation between Father Nadeau and the Bishop [and] it sounded like it went well with no rancor.”
Neither Nadeau nor Malone were available for comment Thursday.
Details surrounding the timing and conditions of Nadeau’s return to the St. John Vianney Parish remain to be worked out, Guthro said.
In Nadeau’s absence, the parish led through July by Rev. Robert Vaillancourt and since then by Rev. Ray Picard.
Although the attorney general declined to initiate a criminal prosecution of Nadeau due to insufficient evidence, an internal financial audit of the parish and additional procedures performed by an external, independent CPA firm revealed a number of issues and a lack of compliance with diocesan policies, according to a statement from the Bishop earlier this month.
“The fact is [Nadeau] is returning but we are not sure in what capacity,” Guthro said. “The issues raised in the audit will be addressed and there will be further discussion on how things will go moving forward.”
Things cannot move fast enough for members of the parish who have been praying for Nadeau and his return since April.
“For me it is hallelujah and let us rejoice and be glad,” Norma Landry, former parish council president, said Thursday afternoon. “We are so hopeful he can be here for the start of our Advent season because what better way to start Advent than with Father Jim at the helm?”
The Holy Season of Advent, leading up to Christmas, begins Dec. 2.
“We are overjoyed,” Gail Rioux, parish office manager, said Thursday afternoon. “I spoke to Father [Nadeau] today [by phone] and he sounded overjoyed [and] hopeful to be back for Advent.”
The details surrounding Nadeau’s return will be released as they become available, Guthro said.
“There are some more issues and things to go over,” he said. “But the decision on when he will return will be made based on the best time for the parish, for the parishioners and, of course, for Father Nadeau.”
Hope there’s a good accountant in the congregation.
Maybe there already was…a good “bad” one that is.
This is a story of a catty woman who didn’t like how generous Fr. Nadeau was to people in need. She wanted to run the show and didn’t like Fr. Nadeau stepping into her territory (helping only people she likes). Actually the woman reminds me a bit like you, someone who thinks they know everything, critical of people they don’t agree with and is a trouble maker. Someone who needs to get a life and couldn’t begin to do the good Fr. Nadeau has done.
Thank you for your ‘rendition’ of this story. It definitely makes more sense than what we’ve all read here so far. With so many parishoners speaking out in Father Nadeau’s favor, speaks volumes! The BEST to you Father Nadeau, your flock is waiting for you.
Maybe Bishop Malone urged him to condemn gay marriages and thereby redeem himself (further) in the eyes of the Church.
This is a totally irrelevant, gratuitous, self-serving, cowardly, mischievous, resentful remark obviously intended to upset people. Would you please reveal your real identity so we know who you are?
I think these comments are uncalled for especially when YOU don’t know what happen
Financial matters within any private organization are usually internal matters looked after by the organization. I wonder why in the first place the church did not conduct its own investigation before leaving it up to the state attorney general’s office. The lesson to be learned here is that the wheels of government turn very slowly and sometimes grindingly slow, thus sometimes creating an unnecessary burdens as it did in this case to parishioners, Father Nadeau himself, and the diocese.
He seems well regarded in the community. sounds like more of an internal matter.
I’m sure the people whom he takes out to eat on “his” dime every weekend will be very happy. And it’s funny that the flood victims never got a dime of the monetary support that was allotted to them. Don’t believe me? Ask the flood victims.