Priest indicted for alleged Bellingham abuses

BostonHerald
Saturday, April 13, 2002

by Tom Mashberg

A Canadian priest who left the state 18 years ago has become the first former Archdiocese of Boston cleric to be indicted for abuse as a result of the molestation crisis roiling the church since January.

 The Rev. Paul M. Desilets, 78, of Rigaud, Quebec, was indicted yesterday by a Worcester County grand jury on 27 counts of indecent assault and battery against 18 victims - all onetime altar boys at Assumption Parish in Bellingham.

Though Desilets' alleged crimes took place between 1978 and 1984, the indictments were possible because the statute of limitations froze after he moved back to Canada, where he has lived continuously since 1984 as a priest for the Order of St. Viator, according to law enforcement officials.

``This is an enormously important first, and it makes the priest scandal an international one,'' said attorney Jeffrey A. Newman, who represents more than 30 people alleging sexual abuse by Desilets.

``This man can be extradited under our treaty obligations with Canada, making it clear molesters in the priesthood who have left Massachusetts cannot escape the consequences of their actions.''

Desilets is assigned to the Valley Field Diocese in Rigaud. He could not be reached for comment, but in an interview with the Herald in January he  denied any abuse, but then asked, ``Isn't there a statute of limitations on these things?''

Sgt. Detective Richard A. Perry of the Bellingham police department conducted most of the interviews that led to the indictment.

`We're very happy about this indictment,'' said Brian E. Corriveau of Bellingham, who along with his brother, Jim, was allegedly abused by Desilets as an altar boy in the 1970s. ``We'll still have to see if they can get him from his hiding spot, and can get him convicted.

``We're both willing to testify, and so are 19 other people,'' Brian said.  ``If any other little boys are being abused, they will know they can report it and be believed.''