Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Retired Maine priest defrocked over sexual abuse allegations

LEWISTON, Maine – Church officials say a 73-year-old retired Maine Catholic priest has been defrocked by the Vatican over sexual abuse allegations dating back to the 1980s.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland said Friday that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican dismissed Antonin Caron from the “clerical state” after substantiating a claim of sexual abuse of a minor.

Caron tells the Portland Press Herald that no abuse took place.

The Lewiston man has been retired since 1994 and was stripped of his ability to perform priestly duties after the diocese received a complaint in 2012 about sexual abuse that occurred years before. There’s no appeal from the final decision.

Caron was charged with sexually assaulting a woman in 1993 but was acquitted after a trial.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles