LEWISTON, Maine — The pastor of Prince of Peace Parish has been named a professor of theology and a member of the priestly formation faculty at Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts, Bishop Robert P. Deeley, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, announced Saturday.
Monsignor Marc B. Caron, 52, will remain a diocesan priest and return to Maine after his five-year assignment at the seminary, Deeley said in a news release issued Saturday. He will begin his work at the seminary on July 1.
“The diocese is so grateful for Monsignor Caron’s pastoral ministry and the many contributions he has made in the life of the diocese and parishes in which he has served,” Deeley. “In sharing his knowledge and expertise, Monsignor Caron will enhance the human, pastoral, spiritual, and academic experience of the seminarians, helping to form a new generation of priests for this diocese and others. We will miss his dedication and devotion, but look forward to welcoming him back to serve in our diocese after his assignment to the seminary is complete.”
Saint John’s Seminary primarily educates and prepares men for the priesthood and the permanent diaconate in New England, according to information on its website.
Born in Lewiston, Caron attended St. Dominic Regional High School before majoring in French and philosophy at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, where he graduated summa cum laude. He completed his clerical studies at Theological College of Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology.
On May 20, 1989, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Amédée W. Proulx at Holy Cross Church in Lewiston.
“I am very grateful to Bishop Deeley and to Cardinal Seán [O’Malley] for this opportunity to serve the church in New England at Saint John’s Seminary,” Caron said in the news release. “The work of the seminary is of the highest importance in forming priests for the new Evangelization after the heart of Christ. I look forward to making my own contribution to that effort.”
In addition to Lewiston, Caron has served parishes in Fort Kent, Wallagrass, Daigle and Biddeford. He served from 1997 to 2008 at the chancery in Portland.
During his time at the chancery, Caron sometimes worked with and sought to comfort parishioners after priests were removed from churches due to allegations of prior clergy abuse.