PORTLAND, Maine — An allegation of sexual abuse by a former director of religious education at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Madawaska has been substantiated, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland announced Friday.
Brother Paul L. Gauvin, a member of the Brothers of Sacred Heart, was working at the parish in the early 1970s when the abuse occurred, according to a press release issued by the diocese. The victim was between 11 and 12 then.
Prior to working at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Gauvin was an English teacher at Madawaska High School, a public school where the Brothers of the Sacred Heart taught for six years in the late 1960s and early ’70s, the diocese said.
Dave Guthro, spokesman for the diocese, said Friday that Gauvin spent his entire time in Maine in Madawaska. Information about exactly when Gauvin left Maine and where he went was not available late Friday.
The Brothers of the Sacred Heart left Maine in 1994.
Earlier this year, the victim contacted Sacred Heart Parish in Bloomfield, Conn., and told an administrator that Gauvin, who was working as a director of liturgy at the parish, about the abuse.
“Immediately after the victim’s allegation, Gauvin, who is currently 73, was removed from his position as director of liturgy at Sacred Heart parish,” the release said. “The Brothers of the Sacred Heart have been informed of the results of the investigation and are addressing the matter with Gauvin, who is under the supervision of a [religious superior] and will have no contact with minors.”
The diocese urged individuals who have more information about this or other cases of sexual abuse of a minor by a church representative to contact civil authorities and Deacon John Brennan, director of the Office of Professional Responsibility for the Diocese of Portland at 321-7836.
Another Catholic in authority who didn’t take his faith seriously enough. I pray that the victim has been able to get along OK in his life. If there is a crime that can be prosecuted, go for it.
It may be too late. I certainly hope not though.
There are perverts in all religions. I believe every religious faith down plays these acts so as to prevent embarrassment to there church. These perverts are not only in churchs. They are associated with schools, recreation, business people and are not restricted to men only. Its a crazy world we live in.
Embarrassment is shared by all, not just church members. Back in the 50’s and 60’s neighbors who were aware of abuse never uttered a word for fear of being wrong. Of course we now see cases where the slightest sign of abuse is reported and an innocent person is drag through the mud.
I could tell you personally, that while undergoing counseling (in my mid-40s) specifically for depression and such (non-church related teenage) homosexual molestation – and decades of (still ongoing, life-long) relationship ~utter~ disability, going to counseling: with one of those Pennsylvania State area graduates (who went on and on and on about the wonders of living going to college there, in an atmosphere of “higher learning” and altruistic “knowledge”) … but then he ultimately DISMISSED my reason for being there, by suggesting that my experience “might have been just teenage curiosity” (?) !!!
HEY: Doktor “F” … (the worthless … CRUD) … still “alive” – (alas) – and “practicing” in Houlton)
When the Pennsylvania State Playground Media Show was put on a while back, I wrote this comment in response to one of the articles (in the Bangor Daily News). You can read my post here, (next to last) after this article:
http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2011/11/12/sports/penn-state-still-shaking-from-sex-abuse-scandal/
No, I’m sorry if I led you to believe you were wrong. My intent was merely to point out that not all allegations of sex abuse are true. The real truth is this: sex abuse takes a toll not only on those who are abused but on accused innocent people as well whose reputations are sullied for a lifetime. For that reason sex abuse is more serious than meets the eye.
Yes, you’re right, sorry for over-reacting to what you wrote. I carried it elsewhere. I was not discussing or referring to “allegations”.
The leering old pope in a frock and former head of the Inquisition and coverups should be arrested the moment he dares to set foot outside his tinpot fiefdom of the Vatican, and he should be tried in an appropriate civil – not ecclesiastical – court. Sadly, we all know our governments will be too craven to do it. Ratzinger will remain in charge of the whole rotten edifice – the whole profiteering, woman-fearing, guilt-gorging, truth-hating, child-raping institution – while it tumbles, amid a stench of incense and a rain of tourist-kitsch sacred hearts and preposterously crowned virgins, about his ears.
You’ve posted this comment word for word before. Where did you get it from? It sounds to me you are on a mission. Peace
Exactly right on two points.. your very astute for an apologizer. It’s not so much as a “Mission” as a civic duty for all to undertake to rid us of this international plague of exploiters of children, the poor, and the ignorant and subsequent coverups executed by the criminal funnyhat elements headquartered in the vatican. There is a reason that catholic church ceilings and cherished iconic paintings are populated with naked babies they call cherubs.
Well said.
All reasonable apologies extended … since I was not indoctrinated (programmed) into the (historical, global) religion industry “belief” system … it has been my lifelong experience that for the most part, this has been THE oldest and most pernicious source of mind-control SLAVERY in human-kind (through a shaming, abusing and generally fear-mongering SYSTEM of human debauchery, slavery and terror), which includes abuse, torture, war, inquisition, military aggression and genocide – repeatedly, unrelentingly ~throughout~ modern (post “flood”) human earthly presence.
(of course they also do lots of great altruistic stuff to shore up the -seeming- illusion of authority and command)
I can give everyone a very SIMPLE example: Upon first learning to use a basic meditation technique (mid 70s), my first reaction to such simple and easy practice of relieving stress and calming the mind … (since this has been known and taught back through vastly ancient times) was:
“WHY (literally, from childhood onward) aren’t the so-called “health” so-called “care” industry … AND the science industry (not that of “scientific method”, but: “Study of Knowledge”) and the religion industry (“Word” of “God” ~institutions~) … TEACHING us (literally, from childhood onward) this – AS “Jesus of Nazareth” DID (literally, from childhood onward) ???
The answer is made abundantly CLEAR … historically, unequivocally:
… because it could help set humanity FREE …
(from Luciferian-commanded tyranny & enslavement)
But evidently that is not “their” goal, is it?
With all due respect and compassion – Best Wishes to all.
Happy (Yeshua, Issa, etc.) Holiday.
Happy New Year.
Happy shift of the ages (equinox of 26,000-year precession)
Oh, you omitted to wish us “Merry Christmas”. Of course that was just an oversight, was it?
I do not observe this Mass of Christ (politically-initiated after Mithra-indoctrinated, Roman Emperor Constantine’s “conversion”), thus it is neither omission nor oversight, it is simply not my expression – not my path.
For MY “Jesus”, loving attention is expressed through His (Aramaic) name, Yeshua … and His (Asian) name, Issa (or Isa, depending on translations).
For anyone/everyone else, Merry Christmas, indeed!
You call me an “apologizer” for the Church. Let me be clear, the Church has made many mistakes in the past; and owing to its long history and size, there will undoubtedly be more mistakes in the future. That is the nature of the Church which, like all institutions, is made up of humans with a fallen nature. As an “apologist”, however, I do not try to defend this institution or its leaders against wrong-doing of any sort. It’s past failures to respond adequately to sex abuses is reprehensible. But everything must be viewed in the context of the time any alleged misconduct occurred. For, instance, back in the 50’s and 60’s most suspected cases of child abuse in society went unreported. And of the relatively few cases that were reported and successfully prosecuted, most of them were not adequately addressed. Thus many convicted child abusers were set free with little or no jail time to perpetuate their crimes.
But society and the Church’s understanding of the gravity and scope of child sex abuse has evolved since those days. We can only hope the situation will improve with time even though I have reservations that it will improve generally in society. One need only look at yesterday’s massive slaughter in a Ct. elementary school and other egregious acts in recent times to see that our society is obviously in a downward spiral of depravity.
As to your comment about the Pope himself, the colorful language in your opening phrase tells the rest of the story: “The leering old pope in a frock and former head of the Inquisition…” would be laughable if it weren’t so maliciously suggestive. If you would call me, instead of the Pope, a “leering old poster (my retirement status has been declared in this venue on several occasions) in charge of an inquisition to go after innocent posters” I might somewhat be deserving of such a put-down even though I am not on the prowl gazing in a lascivious manner wearing a girly skirt or a sheepskin. Nonetheless, I would find such a comment offensive. But what has Pope Benedict XVI done that is so ill-deserving except to lay down his life for others?
Although I doubt this will change your mind about the Pope I will leave you wilh a short summary about this Pope’s noble efforts to deal with sex abuse within the Church. For those who don’t trust the Church, it’s from a secular source, which in the minds of many readers is less suspect. When you open the web link scroll down to the subheading “Sexual Abuses by the Catholic Church” for a more factual view.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Benedict_XVI
Oh Please.. “Mistakes”? Huh? No not “Mistakes” – Mistakes are usually unintentional misjudgements. This grotesquely evil vatican cult executes deliberate and carefully calculated diabolical efforts to market complex coverups of continuous premediated vile crimes of all sorts and over the centuries against the innocents while receiving support and treasure from and by returning favors to the most depraved and debauched among us. And NO, all institutions are NOT made up of humans with a fallen nature and a further forceful “NO” – the catholic church has NOT evolved since those days.. it has only evolved the skill to lawyer-up, stonewall, perform pay-offs, export it’s criminal Bishops to non-extradition states, and migrate its not yet discovered priests to 3rd world countries where they are yet to be investigated. To What and whom you find offensive is severely mis-targeted.
For the sake of clarity the alleged abuse occurred when the accused was a teacher, not a Catholic (church) authority or director of liturgy that does not necessarily involve contact with children. Furthermore, the accusation has been “substantiated”, which means it merits referral and investigation by civil authorities. Before you pass judgement on the accused as you did in your opening statement, you should at least give the accused the benefit of doubt. As you know not all accused of wrongdoing are guilty. This is especially true in
accusations of sex abuse that allegedly occurred in the distant past.
Trust me, he is guilty. Read more carefully you rant. He was an English Teacher before he was a Religious Educator which is when the abuse took place. Not to say abuse did not take place when he was an educator as well. Highly probable.
It was substantiated through his admittance.
This sounds like an attack on humanity itself. I’d trod lightly if I were you.
You say the abuse was “highly probable”. This means you are allowing for the possibility of innocence. In other words you are willing to drag someone through the mud even though he may be innocent as charged. Think about it.
Dude, you obviously can’t read between the lines. I reported the abuse and no I have not and will not seek any monetary compensation. I lived with it long enough and decided accountability needed to happen.
My name is not “Dude”. You can call me whawell if you wish. There is no sense in being discourtesy whether you feel you are a victim or not. If you have been a victim of abuse back in the 70’s I hope you have had time to heal from whatever wounds it left you with. I can assure you I am not your enemy.
It is very irritating to me when folks who know nothing about a situation begin to rant simply because they feel they have “the right”
Another RoMan Gladiator … feed him to the lions.
No offense intended, just sick of this foul crud that continues to (eternally) dirty humanity … servants of satan, evil incarnate.
It’s a shame that no one came forward sooner and that this (insert your choice of word) was allowed to possibly continue the abusing of others for approx. thirty five more years.I truely hope there is some comfort to the ones he has abused but with this much time passing, I’m afraid that his punishment can never fit his crimes.
I came forward after burying it for years. Everyone deals with their abuse in a different way. I have lived a normal productive life. I feel some sadness that he might have abused others. It is not my fault that he did. He has finally been held accountable for his actions. Those around him who said nothing are just as guilty.
I’m glad you did and didn’t mean for anyone to take offense,we all know that in the past no child was ever believed or those in charge had to much influence.Alls I wanted to say that it was sad that more may have been victimised by those in charge who could’ve stopped it meaning his superiors.That said,I think it’s more socially acceptable for the victims to come forward today without being told that they were lieing and to shut up.I’m a parent my youngest is 20 and I’ve never had any reason to doubt anything he has ever said but growing up I know that when I had something to say about another adult my reason was allways brought into question,I just hope that todays parents never do the same and actually listen to the children first.As far as his punishment no punishment could ever fit but given his age now anything seems to be useless as a deterent to others who may do the same.I can’t say what I would do because most likely I would be banned from posting for life,that covers not only my own children but to any child that is hurt by these types.
There will be a moment in time when the Laity that fill the Catholic church pews and coffers each Sunday will have to own up to their own guilt in these sordid affairs in protecting their honored exploiters in the vatican from criminal justice A good start would be to demand an audit of their own parish.. followed by forcing the vatican into transparency by divulging sources of revenue, expenditures, total accumulated vaulted wealth, and names of financial instututions that manage their liquid funds .. and the location of the oceanside Villa where the corrupt Cardinal Bernard Law banquets in his velvet robes far from the reach of extradition procedures.
In my book most people are good and trustworthy most of the time. But I am always wary of people who hold cynical and exaggerated views like yours.
Here’s a list of 225 accused clerics, nuns and staff. http://mnsnap.wordpress.com/spooks-fakers-false-spiritual-healers/
… and that’s just one list for Minnesota and the Dakotas …
… when they meet St. Peter, do they just wink and grin? …
The Catholic Church has long been a haven for these creeps. AND we have yet to see more than the tip of the iceburg. The Pope also ought to be fed to the alligators as he has long been aware of these pedophiles.
Hold the holy phone here for one second. If as the article states the allergations have been substantiated why isn’t this perverted SOB sitting in a jail cell in Maine instead of being “supervised” by a religious superior? This is the kind of bull crap that has caused untold former Catholics to leave the Church. Cardinal Law, the former Archbishop of Boston was really good about “addressing” child abuse by priest in the Boston Archdiocese. He basically brought them into his “holy” office, sat them down, had tea with them and told them that playing with little boys was naughty and then reassigned them to another parish where they were free to play with little boys until the next time they were caught. Law beat feet out of Mass to Rome just in time to avoid being arrested. There are only two places for these perverts, in a jail cell with “Bubba” and after that in hell where they deserve to be. Until we as a society get pissed off enough to demand that prosecutors start to prosecute these and those who protect them our children will constantly be at risk.
The problem of sex abuse is a lot more serious than you think. I’m afraid all the law enforcement in the world, albeit very stringent, will not resolve the problem. Just ponder on the atrocity that occurred at an elementary school in Ct. yesterday and all such prior egregious acts in the last several years.
How do you know what I know about child sexual abuse? This article is about a Catholic Brother who abused a boy. It is totally separate from the horrible thing that took place in CT yesterday. Until we start treating those who abuse children as what they are, criminals, then the problem will continue. Just look what happened in our community with “Monster” Carlson. Even the top law enforcement officer in Penobscot County acted as a pedophile early warning system (PEWS) for him. Two other police officers admitted to having strong suspecions, to the point that they were planning on installing a video camera but because it was too dark in the parking lot they just let it go. Besides the perp in that case was a very well respected member of the community. No Whawell until people like you and I demand that child abusers and pedophiles are treated like criminals then they will continue to plague our communities.
I agree with you, criminals need to be held accountable. My concern too however rests on those who are wrongly condemned in the public eye when a conviction has not even been rendered in a court of law.
“Conspiracy of Silence” … seek out (on YouTube, perhaps) the banned (bought out – PAID OFF) … May 3, 1994 – Discovery Channel documentary by the same name … follow pedophilia-for-sale: all the way from “Boy’s Town” to the CON-gress and the Wite House … and no wonder why only a VERY few people (like some of those cat-lic preests) are getting busted for this all-too-common (throughout history) ABOMINATION against humanity.