New Hampshire Priests Accused of Abuse

Clergy sexual abuse has been gaining attention in New Hampshire, especially in the Diocese of Manchester. Law enforcement authorities have been actively working with church officials and the diocese to address the alleged sex abuse cases.

However, victims often hesitate to report their cases as the legal process may be too overwhelming for them. Some people fear backlash if they speak out against church officials or a Roman Catholic bishop. At Injury Lawyer Team, our clergy sexual abuse attorneys aim to help victims by supporting them in all legal matters related to their cases.

New Hampshire Catholic Diocese Priest Sex Abuse List

Diocese of Manchester NH

Leo A. Allyson

• Accused
  

Allegations described inappropriate touching on several occasions between 1946 and 1949. The conduct was reported by one individual and tied to that postwar period. Allyson died in 1989.

Charles Authier

• Settled
  

A civil suit involving allegations by 16 individuals against seven priests named Authier as an abuser of a youth described as age 12 to 13. The claim was resolved through settlement within that broader litigation. Authier died in 1980.

Paul L. Aube

• Settled
  

In 1975, police encountered Aube and a minor in a car, and later allegations described abuse of a youth between 1979 and 1986 in Rochester, New Hampshire. He was laicized in 2005 under Pope Benedict XVI. The sequence reflects early law enforcement contact followed by later claims tied to Rochester.

Roger Argencourt

• Settled
  

Placed on leave in January 2002, Argencourt was later sued for abuse alleged to have occurred in 1973 to 1974. The allegations were tied to Bishop Guertin High School and Mount Saint Charles Academy during that period. The civil claims were resolved through settlement after removal from active assignment.

Sylvio J. Beaudet

• Accused
  

Allegations described inappropriate sexual conduct involving a 12-year-old boy at St. Marie’s Parish in Manchester between 1960 and 1961. Beaudet died in January 1976. His name was included on the diocesan list released on July 31, 2019.

Aime A. Boisselle

• Settled
  

Three men accused Boisselle, including a college student and a youth connected to the rectory setting. He was assigned to a life of prayer and penance after the allegations surfaced. The civil claims were resolved through settlement, and Boisselle died in 2014.

Wilfrid F. Bombardier

• Settled
  

Ordained for the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers in Cleveland, Bombardier joined the Manchester diocese in 1970. Allegations described abuse of two boys at St. Charles Parish between 1966 and 1970, and another allegation involved 1975 in Manchester. The claims were resolved through settlement.

Albert L. Boulanger

• Settled
  

Multiple allegations were associated with Boulanger, who was sent to therapy and returned to active ministry more than once. He was placed on leave in 2002 during the wider wave of diocesan actions. Boulanger died later in 2002, after the removal from ministry status.

Maurice R. Boulanger

• Accused
  

Allegations described sexual acts involving a boy said to be age 14 to 15 during 1978 to 1979. The claims were tied to that late-1970s window, with no later assignments detailed in the provided record. Maurice R. Boulanger died in April 2003.

Gerard J. Beaudet

• Settled
  

A man reported that Beaudet provided alcohol and then abused him in the early 1970s. A woman also reported abuse occurring in 1972 when she was 14. The allegations were resolved through settlement, and Beaudet died in 1982.

John J. Boyd

• Settled
  

A woman alleged repeated abuse by Monsignor Boyd when she was ages 7 to 8 in 1957 at St. Joseph’s School in Laconia. The claim was handled through settlement within diocesan civil resolution processes. The allegation centers on a school setting and a specific year, 1957.

Brother Henry

• Accused
  

In July 2003, a man reported being abused by Brother Henry at Bishop Bradley High School in Manchester in 1961. The allegation was tied to a single school location and a specific year, 1961. Brother Henry is deceased.

Guy Beaulieu

• Settled
  

Multiple lawsuits filed from 2002 to 2004 alleged Beaulieu abused at least 20 students over roughly two decades at Bishop Guertin High School in New Hampshire and at Camp Fatima. He admitted abuse during depositions, had been transferred to a retirement home in Rhode Island in 1990, and the claims were included in settlements dated November 2002, August 2003, and May 2004.

Brother Dennis

• Accused
  

An allegation described inappropriate touching of a 7-year-old boy at Don Bosco Camp in East Barrington, New Hampshire, in 1970. The claim focused on a camp setting and a specific year, 1970. Brother Dennis is identified by first name only in the provided record.

Albert J. Burque

• Accused
  

Also listed as Albert Burke, Burque was first named publicly as accused on the diocesan list released on July 31, 2019. The entry reflects a posthumous public identification within the diocese’s disclosures. Burque died in 1965.

Albion F. Bulger

• Settled
  

Bulger was accused of abusing an altar boy in 1974 and retired after the allegation. The diocese deemed the claim credible and included it in a 2002 settlement that involved multiple priests. The record centers on a single allegation year, 1974, followed by retirement and settlement inclusion.

Gerald F. Chalifour

• Settled
  

Diocesan records reflected awareness of at least one incident of misconduct with a minor in 1969. Three men were paid a total of $85,000 in 2003 connected to the allegations. Chalifour died in 2020, and the settlement details in the record tie to the 1969 incident and the 2003 payments.

Francisco Cardona

• Accused
  

Allegations described abuse of two teenage students at Immaculate Conception Apostolic School during the 1980s. The claims were tied to a school setting and a decade-wide timeframe rather than a single year. The record identifies two student victims and places the alleged conduct within the 1980s period.

Richard W. Connors

• Settled
  

Connors died in November 1999 after a heart attack, and clergy removed materials from his apartment before authorities entered. The diocese denied wrongdoing in connection with those actions. The allegation-related claims were handled through settlement in the broader pattern of diocesan civil resolutions.

David Consoli

• Sued
  

A seminarian, Consoli was accused of abusing boys in the mid-1990s. He was not ordained and later returned to lay life. The civil allegations proceeded through litigation, with the record emphasizing his seminarian status and the mid-1990s timeframe.

Alfred J. Constant

• Settled
  

Monsignor Constant was accused of abusing two girls and one boy. A $5 million settlement was reached in 2002 that included claims tied to his alleged conduct. The record presents multiple victims and a defined financial resolution date, 2002.

Ronald E. Corriveau

• Settled
  

Placed on leave in 2002 after allegations surfaced involving inappropriate touching of a minor, Corriveau was included in a $5 million settlement involving 62 claims. The account reflects removal from assignment during the 2002 crisis period and inclusion in a large multi-claim resolution.

Joseph A. Cote

• Settled
  

Removed from public ministry in 2021 after admitting abuse of a 12-year-old altar boy approximately 25 to 30 years earlier. The record frames the matter as an admission followed by removal from ministry. The timeline places the conduct decades before the 2021 action and ties it to an altar-server context.

Roland P. Cote

• Accused
  

Allegations described abuse of a teenage boy in the early 1980s. Cote acknowledged a sexual relationship and payment for sex while stating the individual was 18 at the time. The record centers on the early-1980s timeframe and includes his admission of the relationship and payment component.

Thomas F. Crowe

• Settled
  

Crowe was included among five priests in a diocesan settlement involving six individuals. The record identifies him through settlement grouping rather than a detailed allegation narrative. Crowe died in 1958, indicating the claim surfaced long after his death and was resolved through the collective settlement.

Fernando Cutanda

• Sued
  

Named publicly by the Legionaries as accused of abusing two boys in the 1980s at Immaculate Conception Apostolic School in Center Harbor. He was also accused in a lawsuit of repeated abuse over a three-year period. The record ties the allegations to a specific school and decade and reflects ongoing civil litigation.

Robert J. Densmore

• Settled
  

Three allegations were received between 1985 and 1993, followed by two additional reports. Densmore was sued in 2002 and included in a $5 million settlement involving 28 priests and others. The record emphasizes a multi-allegation pattern across years, then litigation and inclusion in the 2002 settlement structure.

George Desjardins

• Settled
  

Retiring in 2002, Desjardins was accused of making inappropriate sexual comments to a 14-year-old boy during confession. The allegation focuses on a confessional setting and a single minor victim description. The claim was resolved through settlement in the broader diocesan civil resolution context.

Leon Cyr

• Accused
  

A man alleged that Brother Cyr abused him while Cyr was a teacher at Bishop Guertin High School in the early 1980s. The record ties the allegation to a school setting and to the early 1980s timeframe. The entry identifies him as Brother Cyr and as a teacher during the alleged conduct.

Karl E. Dowd

• Settled
  

Five allegations were reported shortly after Dowd’s death in February 2002. He had served as director of Camp Fatima from 1968 until retirement in 1990. The record links his long tenure at Camp Fatima to posthumous reporting and indicates the claims were handled through settlement.

Denis P. Downey

• Accused
  

Three individuals reported abuse by Downey occurring in the 1950s and 1960s. The allegations were framed as multiple reports spanning two decades rather than a single incident. Downey died in 1992, and the record reflects later reporting tied to earlier decades.

Patrick Dubreuil

• Accused
  

Laicized before the allegations were reported, Dubreuil was accused by two sisters of inappropriate physical contact at two parishes in the mid-1970s. The record emphasizes two complainants, multiple parish settings, and the mid-1970s period. The laicization status is presented as preceding the public allegations.

Gregoire Dumont

• Accused
  

An attorney notified the diocese that Dumont abused a woman between 1978 and 1983. The allegation centers on an adult female victim and a defined multi-year timeframe. The record presents the claim as notice to the diocese covering five years, 1978 through 1983.

Edouard J. Duval

• Accused
  

Parents raised concerns about Duval’s inappropriate behavior with boys dating back to at least 1981. The record describes concerns over conduct with boys and places the earliest noted concerns in 1981. Duval died in 1992, indicating the allegations and concerns were connected to earlier years.

Mark Fleming

• Sued
  

Accused in a 2002 civil suit of abusing three brothers, Fleming was not defrocked but had his permission to minister revoked. He left the priesthood in 1986 and later became a Unitarian minister. The record links the civil litigation to 2002 while noting his departure from priesthood years earlier and the later change in religious role.

Roger Armand Fortier

• Convicted
  

In 1984, Fortier admitted misconduct involving minors, and he was arrested in 1997. He was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison and later laicized in 2019. The record presents a progression from admission to arrest, then a lengthy prison sentence and a formal laicization years later.

J. Delphin Gagne

• Accused
  

A man reported that Gagne abused him when he was 13 or 14 in 1950. The allegation is tied to a single reported victim and a specific year, 1950. The record does not add later assignments or outcomes, focusing on the reported abuse age range and date.

Mark O. Gauthier

• Settled
  

At least one allegation against Gauthier was included in a $5 million diocesan settlement in November 2002. The record presents the resolution through settlement rather than detailing a specific assignment or incident narrative. Gauthier died in 1994, and the settlement inclusion occurred years after his death.

Roger E. Fournier

• Accused
  

Fournier and another priest were accused of abusing a boy in 1973 after befriending him and his brother following their father’s death. The allegation centers on grooming through family vulnerability and a defined year, 1973. The record presents the claim as involving two clergy and a single boy.

Leo P. Gilbert

• Accused
  

In 2006, a woman alleged that Gilbert abused her in approximately 1937 when she was six years old, while he was serving at Sacred Heart Parish in Greenville. The allegation identifies a young child victim, an approximate year, and a parish assignment. Gilbert died in August 1968.

Marcel Genereux

• Accused
  

A woman reported that Genereux abused her for two years while she was a student at Presentation of Mary Academy in Hudson. He was removed from ministry and died in 1971. The record links the reported abuse to a school setting, describes a two-year duration, and notes removal from ministry before his death.

Frederick L. Guthrie

• Convicted
  

In 2001, Guthrie was arrested for soliciting sex from a minor over the internet and was also charged with possessing child pornography on his home computer. He was sentenced to three months in jail and five years of probation, reflecting criminal penalties tied to online contact and image-related offenses.

Paul E. Groleau

• Settled
  

Two lawsuits named “Grolleau” as an abuser, and his case was included in a $5 million settlement reached in 2002 involving 62 plaintiffs and 28 priests. Groleau was laicized in 1989, before the abuse allegations were reported publicly through the litigation.

James W. Haller

• Accused
  

The diocese stated Haller had an inappropriate relationship with a minor more than 20 years before the report, and characterized it as the first and only allegation received about him. He resigned from his assignment after the disclosure, with the record presenting the action as a departure from active role rather than a criminal case.

Wilfred E. Houle

• Settled
  

A lawsuit filed in 2008 alleged Houle raped a 16-year-old in 1977. The claim proceeded as civil litigation and was resolved through settlement, with the allegation centered on a single reported incident year. Houle died of AIDS in 1987, and the record ties later legal action to the earlier alleged assault.

Antony Muthu Hilary

• Accused
  

Hilary was accused of getting drunk and molesting girls in 1995. The record notes that Bishop Tharmaraj sent him to the United States after the allegation period. The entry focuses on the 1995 conduct description and the subsequent relocation, with no criminal disposition or settlement terms provided.

Alfred L. Jannetta

• Settled
  

At least one claim involving Jannetta was included in the $5 million settlement reached in November 2002 with 62 victims and 28 priests. He was shown as an active priest at the time. The record also states he was recently suspended following allegations that he molested boys in the 1970s.

Gerald F. Joyal

• Settled
  

In 2002, diocesan settlements totaling $950,000, $5 million, and $542,500 were reached in matters involving abuse of minors, with Joyal included among those resolved through that civil process. He died in 1998. The record frames his inclusion as part of grouped settlement outcomes rather than a standalone criminal case.

Raymond H. Laferriere

• Settled
  

Retiring in 1995, Laferriere was named by the diocese in 2002 as one of 14 abusers who received treatment and later returned to work. He was assigned to a life of prayer and penance as part of the post-allegation restrictions. The record ties his status to the 2002 disclosures and civil resolution context.

Leroy F. Lamont

• Accused
  

Known as Brother Jerome, Lamont joined the Xaverians in 1941 and died in 1987. The order named him publicly as accused on July 12, 2019, tied to an allegation reported in 2002 of abuse in the late 1960s at a summer camp in New Hampshire. The record presents the claim as historical and posthumously disclosed.

Conrad V. LaForest

• Accused
  

LaForest was accused of abusing a boy described as age 12 to 13 and was also described as being sexually involved with adult men. He was sent for treatment and later cleared to return to ministry. The record emphasizes internal action steps and reinstatement clearance, without listing criminal charges or civil settlement amounts.

Maurice A. Leclerc

• Settled
  

At least one claim involving Leclerc was included in the November 2002 $5 million settlement, which covered 62 people alleging abuse by 28 priests, two lay workers, and one member of a religious order across the 1950s through the 1980s. Leclerc died in 1979, and the record links his inclusion to the later collective settlement.

J. Edmond Lemire

• Settled
  

The diocese settled with 16 claimants in 2002, including a complainant identified as John Doe 12 who alleged Lemire abused him in the early 1960s. Lemire was described as an extern from the Sherbrooke diocese in Quebec assigned to St. Edmund’s parish in Manchester. The record frames the allegation through assignment context and settlement inclusion.

Albert Lirette

• Accused
  

In December 2003, Lirette was accused of fondling and molesting a boy described as age 13 or 14 in 1950. The allegation stated the abuse occurred at the home of the priest’s mother in Manchester. The same complainant also made allegations against J. Delphin Gagne. Lirette died in 2004.

Francis R. Lamothe

• Settled
  

At least nine men filed suit in 2002 alleging abuse by Lamothe. He was included on the diocese’s list of 14 priests against whom there were credible allegations of sexual abuse, and his matter was handled through civil settlement structures active during that period. The record emphasizes multiple plaintiffs and 2002 litigation activity.

Harvey W. Lamothe

• Settled
  

Ordained for the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, Lamothe worked in Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Canada before arriving in New Hampshire in 1960. His matter was resolved through settlement, with the record focusing on his clerical trajectory and the civil disposition rather than a specific allegation narrative. He died in 1987.

Michael Dominic Ledoux

• Settled
  

Sexual abuse allegations centered on conduct involving a boy in 1987 or 1988 while Ledoux was assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Derry, New Hampshire. The claim was resolved through settlement, and the religious order involved found the allegations credible. Records indicate the diocese became aware in 2002 of an earlier accusation but did not communicate that information internally at the time.

Alfred Lapointe

• Settled
  

Lapointe was included in a $5 million global settlement reached in 2002 involving 62 plaintiffs who alleged abuse by 28 priests, two lay workers, and one member of a religious order. The settlement addressed historical claims spanning several decades, and Lapointe’s inclusion reflects civil resolution rather than criminal proceedings.

A. Long

• Accused
  

Holy Cross Sister Patricia A. Dabbah, who took vows in 1969, was accused by a woman of sexual assault occurring between 1973 and 1978. The complainant later confronted Long at age 21 and described statements suggesting sexualized perceptions and continued interest. The record frames the allegation as historical and not resolved through criminal prosecution.

Gordon J. MacRae

• Convicted
  

MacRae experienced documented psychological issues during seminary in 1978, pleaded guilty in 1988 to paying a boy for sex, and was later charged in 1993 with molesting at least four boys. He was convicted in 1994 and remains incarcerated, with the record reflecting a progression from early misconduct admissions to felony convictions and long-term imprisonment.

Richard T. Lower

• Accused
  

In 1989, Lower was accused of inappropriate sexual conduct involving a young man. He denied the allegation, underwent psychological evaluation, and was cleared to return to work. Two days after being cleared, he was found dead, and the record closes with the unresolved nature of the allegation despite internal clearance.

Joseph T. Maguire

• Guilty plea
  

Maguire was a former priest arrested in New Hampshire following allegations of child sexual abuse. He entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to a term of at least 44 years in prison. The record notes broader clerical transfers during the same period but centers Maguire’s outcome on criminal conviction and lengthy incarceration.

Hubert F. Mann

• Settled
  

Mann was accused of abusing a 15-year-old boy during the late 1960s. His case was resolved through a $950,000 settlement reached in 2002 as part of broader civil actions addressing historical abuse claims within the diocese. No criminal conviction is recorded in connection with the allegation.

Francis X. McMullen

• Settled
  

McMullen was named as a perpetrator in a 2002 settlement involving six claimants against the Diocese of Manchester and five priests. He died in his 40s in 1966, decades before the civil resolution, and the record ties his name to posthumous inclusion in collective settlement proceedings.

David Morley

• Accused
  

Morley was first named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Manchester on July 31, 2019. An internal investigation concluded the allegations against him were probable. The record presents his status as publicly disclosed decades after the alleged conduct, without reference to criminal charges or civil settlement.

Andrew Meehan

• Accused
  

After many years of marriage and family life, Meehan entered seminary, was ordained, and later disclosed to a therapist attraction to and past sexual behavior with boys aged 15 to 16. The record documents these admissions as part of a clinical context rather than criminal proceedings.

Albert J. Morel

• Accused
  

A former student alleged that Brother Adrian Morel fondled him following counseling sessions and engaged in physical affection accompanied by expressions of love. The record situates the allegation within an educational and counseling setting, with no criminal disposition or settlement noted.

Rocco C. Memolo

• Accused
  

Memolo was accused of sexually abusing a boy aged 12 to 14 between 1976 and 1977 while assigned to St. Michael’s Parish in Exeter, New Hampshire. His clerical career was primarily based in New Hampshire, with a brief academic assignment at Texas A&M University from 1987 to 1989.

Russell J. Neighbor

• Accused
  

Monsignor Neighbor was accused of molesting a boy during the early 1960s. He died in 1972, and the allegation surfaced posthumously, with the record reflecting disclosure without subsequent legal proceedings.

William P. Neiman

• Sued
  

Neiman was accused of repeatedly molesting a boy between 1977 and 1978, beginning when the complainant was 15 years old. He later succeeded Gerald Joyal as pastor. The matter proceeded through civil litigation rather than criminal prosecution.

John W. Nolin

• Accused
  

In 1982, Nolin was sent for treatment after admitting a long history of involvement with adult women. In 1994, a woman in her 30s, along with her sister and brother, alleged that Nolin had sexually abused their mother when they were children, broadening the scope of reported misconduct.

Eugene Pelletier

• Settled
  

Pelletier underwent repeated treatment for alcoholism, including at the St. Luke Institute, and was accused of sexually abusing a boy in 1963 and 1964. He retired in 1993, and his case was resolved through settlement rather than criminal adjudication.

Donald Matthew Osgood

• Settled
  

Osgood faced at least four lawsuits in 2002 alleging sexual abuse of teenage boys. His clerical career included multiple transfers attributed to his behavior, treatment in New Mexico, and departure from active ministry in 1968, with the allegations ultimately addressed through civil settlement.

Philip A. Petit

• Sued
  

In 2002, a civil suit was filed against Bishop Gendron alleging destruction of records related to sexual abuse by Petit and another priest. The litigation focused on institutional handling of records rather than direct criminal charges against Petit.

John R. Poirier

• Accused
  

Poirier was named publicly as accused by the diocese in February 2002. He was placed on leave and, by July 2002, assigned to a life of prayer and penance, reflecting administrative restriction following disclosure of the allegation.

Joseph Sands

• Accused
  

Sands was accused of sexual abuse occurring between 1966 and 1969 at St. Bernard’s Parish in Keene. In 1979, he was murdered while attempting to negotiate a hostage situation, and the record links the allegation to an earlier period of parish assignment.

George H. Robichaud

• Arrested
  

Placed on leave in 2002, Robichaud was arrested that year and charged with aggravated felonious sexual assault involving a boy aged 13 to 16 during 1984 and 1985. The charges were later dropped based on age-related issues and the statute of limitations.

Edward D. Richard

• Settled
  

Richard was placed on leave in April 2002 after the diocese learned police were investigating allegations of child sexual abuse. He retired in late May 2003 and was accused of fondling a 17-year-old boy in 1987. The matter was resolved through settlement.

Matthew Schultz

• Accused
  

Publicly named as accused by the Diocese of Manchester and prohibited from ministry while the matter remained in process. Schultz served at multiple parishes and assisted at Mount Royal Academy North and Seton Academy in Rochester. Administrative restrictions were imposed following disclosure, and no criminal disposition is noted in the record.

Stephen Scruton

• Settled
  

Scruton was arrested and convicted for lewd and indecent behavior at highway rest areas and later sued for abuse of an altar boy. He was removed from a position counseling sex offenders, named in three civil lawsuits, laicized, and subsequently died. His cases were resolved through civil settlement rather than additional criminal proceedings.

Joseph E. Shields

• Accused
  

Shields was accused of abusing a junior high school boy on a golf course and faced separate allegations involving another priest and a teacher. The record reflects multiple reports of misconduct across different contexts, with the allegations addressed administratively rather than through documented criminal adjudication.

George St. Jean

• Settled
  

Two reports of abuse were submitted to the Diocese of Manchester, one by a victim and another by the victim’s sister. St. Jean was assigned to a shrine in Colebrook, New Hampshire, in 1960 and died in September 1982. The claims were resolved through settlement decades after the alleged conduct.

David Steffy

• Sued
  

In April 2021, Steffy was accused in a civil lawsuit of sexually abusing a boy during the 1990s while assigned to Immaculate Conception Apostolic School in Center Harbor, New Hampshire. He was working in Atlanta and transferred in 2019 to an assignment in Jerusalem at the time of the filing.

Leo Alfred Shea

• Convicted
  

Shea was convicted of assaulting a 14-year-old and later accused of abusing two boys. He was released on parole in 1997, retired in 2002, and lived under a life of prayer and penance. Shea died in 2008, with the record reflecting both criminal conviction and ecclesiastical restriction.

Paul G. Stevens

• Accused
  

Complaints were filed in 2003 and 2004 alleging that Stevens fondled and groped a man, and an earlier complaint from 1974 alleged abuse by Stevens. He took a leave of absence in 1987, with the allegations spanning multiple decades and addressed administratively rather than through criminal prosecution.

Roland E. Tancrede

• Accused
  

Monsignor Tancrede was placed on leave and stripped of priestly faculties following the filing of a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse. He remained removed from ministry thereafter and died in 2014, with the record reflecting ecclesiastical sanctions imposed prior to his death.

John J. Sullivan

• Accused
  

A woman reported to the Diocese of Manchester that Sullivan fondled and digitally penetrated her during the mid-1970s. Sullivan died in 1984, and the allegation surfaced posthumously, resulting in disclosure without subsequent criminal proceedings.

Francis A. Talbot

• Convicted
  

Accused by at least four individuals of abuse occurring during the 1960s, Talbot was sentenced in 2003 to a prison term of at least ten years. He was later assigned to a life of prayer and penance and died in 2019 following completion of his sentence.

Andre M. Thibodeau

• Accused
  

Named publicly as accused by the Diocese of Manchester on April 10, 2024, Thibodeau served in parishes in Franklin, Manchester, Henniker, and Hillsboro, with his final assignment as a nursing home chaplain. He died in 2015, and the allegation was disclosed posthumously.

John Thomas Sullivan

• Settled
  

Ordained for the Diocese of Manchester, Sullivan abused girls over a period of approximately 35 years. He was suspended and sent to Via Coeli in New Mexico for treatment, yet later accepted by other dioceses. His case was resolved through settlement addressing longstanding patterns of abuse.

Eugene Turcotte

• Accused
  

A woman reported that Turcotte molested her between 1949 and 1953 when she was between four and eight years old. Turcotte died in January 1968, and the allegation was disclosed decades later without criminal adjudication.

Armand A. Turgeon

• Accused
  

A woman alleged that Turgeon abused her when she was 14 years old. Turgeon lived to age 94, and the record reflects disclosure of the allegation without documentation of criminal charges or civil settlement.

Oscar Turrion

• Sued
  

Oscar Juan Turrión Pablos was accused of sexually abusing a boy in the early 1990s while assigned to Immaculate Conception Apostolic School in Center Harbor. He left the priesthood in 2017 after fathering two children, with allegations pursued through civil litigation.

Romeo J. Valliere

• Settled
  

Valliere admitted to abusing two boys and was placed on sick leave in 1989 and again in 1996. He retired in 2001, was laicized in 2007, and died the same year. His case was resolved through civil settlement following admissions of abuse.

Patrick Walsh

• Accused
  

Walsh was accused in 2002 of abusing at least one youth at a high school in Center Harbor, New Hampshire, during the 1992–1993 period. The allegation was disclosed in records released by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office in March 2003.

Edward J. Zalewski

• Settled
  

In 2007, a woman notified the diocese that Zalewski hugged her to his body, and in February 2021, a man received a settlement for sexual abuse committed when he was 11. The matters were resolved through civil settlement rather than criminal proceedings.

Paul E. Vadeboncoeur

• Settled
  

Vadeboncoeur was named as a perpetrator in a 2002 settlement totaling $542,500 between the diocese and six individuals alleging abuse by five priests. He died in 1971, and his inclusion reflects posthumous civil resolution of claims.

Roland W. Veilette

• Accused
  

Veilette died in 1983, and in 2002 a second man filed suit alleging sexual assault occurring between 1956 and 1958. The allegation surfaced decades after the alleged conduct and was addressed through civil litigation.

John Voglio

• Accused
  

Accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy at Camp Don Bosco in 1982, Voglio was later ordained for the Salesians in 1987 and worked in a Salesian high school and parish in New York. He withdrew from the order in 1994.

Jeanne Wilfort

• Sued
  

In 1999, Wilfort was accused of sexually abusing a 27-year-old nun in the Winnipeg archdiocese during 1978–1979 while serving as superior of the order’s Western Canada Province. The alleged abuse included digital penetration described as therapeutic. The complainant had been recruited from the Manchester diocese during a retreat. A Vatican investigation occurred in 2000. A civil suit filed in 2002 was dismissed after the complainant’s death in 2004.

About Child Sexual Abuse Involving New Hampshire Clergy

Clergy sexual abuse is a serious crime that occurs when a clergy member, typically of high ranking, like a diocesan bishop, exploits the trust of people and takes sexual advantage of them. Their targets are usually vulnerable individuals, such as children and young adults.

Victims of clergy abuse are often left with psychological scars and physical injuries as well, in some cases. They may suffer in silence out of fear and never tell their stories. If clergy members or adults suspect sexual misconduct in the church, they must report it to law enforcement authorities immediately so that the sexually abusing priests are held accountable.

In New Hampshire, victims typically start by reporting the abuse to law enforcement. An investigation follows, potentially leading to criminal charges against the perpetrator. Victims may also file a civil lawsuit for repeated sexual abuse, seeking compensation for damages.

Legal Support for Child Sex Abuse Survivors in New Hampshire

Injury Lawyer Team has experience handling clergy abuse cases and can help clients navigate the process with ease. We understand the sensitive nature of abuse cases and prioritize our client’s privacy and safety. We hold confidential consultations and offer full legal support to secure the justice our clients deserve.

What Laws Govern Priest Abuse Lawsuits in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, several laws pertain to clergy sexual misconduct cases:

Statute of Limitations

In New Hampshire, civil claims for sexual assault can be filed anytime. A 2020 law ruled that there is no longer a statute of limitations for civil suits. However, this does not apply to previous allegations.

A landmark decision by the New Hampshire Supreme Court further rules that this law will not be applied retroactively. Randy Ball attempted to sue the Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester, alleging he was raped at summer camp in the 70’s. However, the accused priest died in 2002. This case sets a precedent that cases do not have a statute of limitations if they happened after 2020.

It’s important to note that this is for civil cases against priests accused of abuse, not criminal law.

Mandatory Reporting Laws

New Hampshire law states that any person who suspects abuse or neglect of any kind must report the crime to the proper authorities. This includes clergy members.

If a clergy member has reasonable cause to believe a child has been sexually abused, they must report it immediately to law enforcement or the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). However, there is an exception for information received during a confidential confession, protected by the clergy-penitent privilege. Failure to report can result in fines and legal consequences.

Age of Consent

In New Hampshire, the criminal statutes on sexual assault (RSA 632-A) establish nuanced age-of-consent rules rather than a single fixed “consent age.”

Under RSA 632-A:3, engaging in sexual penetration with someone who is 13–15 years old becomes a Class B felony when the older person is 4 or more years older than the minor. Sexual contact (rather than penetration) with a 13–15-year-old is treated under RSA 632-A:4, and becomes a Class A misdemeanor if the age difference is 5 or more years.

Importantly, New Hampshire law further raises the bar when there is a “position of authority”: if the actor is in a role of authority (e.g., teacher, clergy) over someone under 18 and is more than four years older, consent is not a defense.

These provisions create strong safeguards against exploitation, particularly in relationships where power dynamics could be abused, such as at Bishop Bradley High School.

Filing a Lawsuit Against Clergy Accused of Sexual Abuse in New Hampshire

The process of filing a lawsuit for clergy abuse can be lengthy. It may include working with the New Hampshire Attorney General, discussing things that happened with the priests accused of abuse, and more. Injury Lawyer Team can help you through this process by providing the following services:

• Initial Consultation: Contact an attorney specializing in clergy abuse cases for a confidential consultation. Discuss the details of the abuse and explore legal options.
• Evidence Collection: Our team will gather evidence, including medical records, witness statements, and any other relevant documents, to build a strong case.
• Filing the Lawsuit: We’ll file a legal complaint in court, outlining the abuse and the damages sought.
• Pre-Trial Proceedings: We’ll manage discovery, conduct depositions, and handle pre-trial motions efficiently.
• Settlement Negotiations: We’ll work to negotiate a fair and just settlement for you outside of court.
• Trial: The case goes to trial if a settlement isn’t reached outside of court. In court, we present our arguments, and a judge or jury decides.
• Post-Trial Support: We’ll provide ongoing support and assistance after the trial ends.

Contact a qualified sexual abuse attorney to start the process and seek justice for clergy sexual misconduct.

Support Resources for Survivors in New Hampshire

There are many support services available in New Hampshire that focus on helping sexually assaulted victims and providing them with a safe space to deal with their trauma.

• For immediate support: call 911
• To report child abuse or neglect: please call (800) 894-5533 (in-state) or (603) 271-6562
• New Hampshire Bureau of Child Protection Services: Provides safeguarding, investigation, and support to protect children at risk of abuse or neglect in New Hampshire.
• New Hampshire’s Network of Child Advocacy Centers: Offers coordinated services like forensic interviews and therapy for child abuse victims across the state.
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: Provides resources, advocacy, and support to find missing children and prevent exploitation nationwide.
• The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (NHCADSV): They work to put an end to child sexual assault. They provide free and confidential counseling, advocacy, and safe spaces. NHCADSV 24/7 Hotline: 1-866-644-3574
• Rape and Domestic Violence Crisis Center (RDVCC): Provides trauma-informed counseling for survivors of sexual assault.
• HAVEN: Hosts support groups for survivors of sexual violence, providing a safe space for sharing and healing. Crisis hotline: 1-603-994-SAFE (7233)

Seeking both legal and emotional support is vital for healing and justice. Legal assistance can help hold perpetrators accountable, while counseling and support groups offer essential emotional care.

Notable Cases and Outcomes in New Hampshire

Our attorneys have reviewed public and private settlement data related to New Hampshire clergy abuse settlements, including the Diocese of Manchester. Depending on the circumstances of your case, these cases may be fairly valued in the $400,000 to $950,000 range. In cases of extreme conduct or if that case were to go before a jury, damages could exceed $1 million.

New Hampshire Accusations (Including Deceased Priests)

Several abusive priests and church officials have been named in lawsuits against the Roman Catholic Church in New Hampshire.

The diocese has yet to release its officially endorsed list of priests accused of sexual abuse in New Hampshire, but the cases that have come out include names of deceased priests and retired ones. The accused priests have since been prosecuted, and settlements have been paid to compensate the victims.

Diocese of Manchester Settlements

The Manchester Diocese has paid millions of dollars in settlements to multiple allegedly abused victims over the years. Some of their major settlements have amounted to $5 million, $15.54 million, and $30 million on separate occasions, and the diocese continues to address any cases and compensate the victims.

However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t always mean the court ruled the Diocese of Manchester had to pay the settlement due to civil lawsuits.

Why Choose Injury Lawyer Team

If you or someone you know has been a victim of clergy sexual assault in New Hampshire, you’ll need a law firm to help you through the legal process.

Injury Lawyer Team offers unmatched expertise and dedication in handling clergy sexual assault cases with professionalism and care. Our firm boasts a strong track record of securing significant settlements and verdicts for survivors against the Diocese of Manchester or an accused priest.

We approach each case with compassion, understanding the sensitive nature of our clients’ trauma. Our team is committed to providing personalized legal support, ensuring survivors receive the justice they deserve, even when it means taking it to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

By choosing Injury Lawyer Team, you benefit from experienced attorneys who are relentless in their pursuit of accountability and healing for victims of clergy abuse.

Reach out to us for a confidential consultation to get you started with the legal process.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.