Catholic priest exonerated

STATE — Allegations against Father Maurice Lebel, formerly of St. Catherine of Siena in Norway, have been found to be unproven.

"I write at the time to report that the allegation was thoroughly investigated, a canonical trial was held, and a three-judge panel of canon lawyers from outside the Diocese of Portland has determined that the allegation was unproven," writes the Most Reverend Richard Malone, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, in a letter to parishioners.

Investigations by law enforcement officers regarding the Sexual Abuse of a Minor commenced a decade ago, but did not lead to trial. The investigation was dropped in 2007, at which point the Diocese suspended Lebel from all actions related to public ministry and commenced its own investigation.

Lebel was brought before a tribunal of canon lawyers, specializing in Catholic law last January. The allegations were found to be unproven and Lebel's restriction from the ministry was brought to an end.

A tribunal is an extremely rare occurrence. According to Sue Bernard of the Portland Diocese, there have only been a few in its 150-year history. They occur solely if civil law investigations have ended and the complainant persists with his or her charges.

The allegations were alleged to have occurred in the eighties, while Lebel was serving as a Jesuit in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Father Lebel has been retired since he left St. Catherine in 2003. During his retirement, Lebel had served as temporary administrator of St. Martha in Kennebunk for four months during 2005-2006, and was available for fill-in ministry, mostly in southern Maine. He regularly ministered at St. Mary in Wells and its summer mission of All Saints in Ogunquit.

When reached for comment, Father Lebel stated that he was, "thankful to God," for the results of the tribunal and the end of the process.