Retired priest investigated
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland has completed an initial investigation of a sexual abuse complaint against retired priest Fr. Antonin (Tony) R. Caron. The complaint was made last November (2011) involving reported incidents between 1982 and 1986 while Fr. Caron was at Our Lady of Ransom Parish, Mechanic Falls and St. Gregory Parish, Gray.
In a letter sent to parishes this weekend, Bishop Richard Malone made parishioners aware of the ongoing investigation.
The 68-year-old Caron was born in Lewiston and was ordained in 1969. During his ministry, Fr. Antonin Caron also served at: Notre Dame, Waterville; St. Margaret, Old Orchard; St. Mary, Lewiston; St. Mary, Presque Isle; St. Michael, So. Berwick; Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland; St. Ignatius, Sanford; St. Mary, Eagle Lake and St. James, Woodland.
Fr. Antonin Caron had retired due to medical reasons prior to being acquitted of sexual abuse during a criminal trial in 1994. Although he had limited public ministry, in March of 2000 Bishop Joseph Gerry temporarily suspended Caron for his involvement in a pornographic website. Later that summer, Caron was reinstated and exercised limited ministry. Since 2010, he has had no public ministry.
Bishop Malone encourages anyone who may have information about this case or any other case regarding abuse by a Church representative to contact Deacon John Brennan, in the diocese’s Office of Professional Responsibility, 321-7836, or local law enforcement.
