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Priest Accused Of Sexual Abuse Commits Suicide

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Jun 28, 2008 10:06 am US/Central

Priest Accused Of Sexual Abuse Commits Suicide

DOVER-FOXCROFT, MAINE (AP) ― A Roman Catholic priest has been found dead in the rectory of a Maine church, one day after being informed of an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of a minor nearly 30 years ago.

Police said the Rev. James Robichaud committed suicide.

The diocese of Portland, Maine, says the 56-year-old Robichaud was informed yesterday that he would be suspended pending the investigation.

The abuse was alleged to have occurred around the time Robichaud was ordained in 1979 and assigned to St. Jean-Baptiste Parish in Lowell. He later served as chaplain of Lowell General Hospital and pastor of Notre Dame De Lourdes in Lowell.

The allegation came to the diocese from the Oblates, a religious order of men with whom Robichaud was serving in Massachusetts.


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