Norwich diocese places pastor on leave amid abuse allegations, Maryland indictment

NORWICH, CT (WFSB) - Father Laurence LaPointe, pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Willimantic, was placed on administrative leave March 6 by the Diocese of Norwich following an investigation by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families into an allegation of abuse of a minor in Connecticut in the early 1970s.

The Diocese learned last week that LaPointe had also been indicted in Maryland on charges of committing a sex offense with someone under the age of 14 and causing abuse to a child under 18. Both alleged offenses date to the mid-1970s.

Corpus Christi Parish is made up of three churches: Saint Mary, Saint Joseph and Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, all in Willimantic.

Diocese of Norwich Bishop Richard Reidy said in a statement: “The seriousness of the allegations necessitated his removal from ministry as a precautionary measure while the investigations and legal proceedings continue.”

The Diocese said it has a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and has notified the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which will direct the Diocese on how to proceed with the canonical process.

LaPointe has denied the allegations.

The circumstances prompted Eastern Connecticut State University, where LaPointe worked with the campus ministry, to issue a statement.

ECSU also said that support resources were made available to anyone impacted by the news.

Parishioners at Saint Mary learned of the news over the weekend. Kimberly Carlin, who attends Saint Mary Roman Catholic Church, said she was surprised by the news.

“Very honest, very sincere. He makes a lot of people happy,” Carlin said. “There was no reason to think otherwise.”

LaPointe also served as chaplain at Connecticut College from 1979 to 2012 and would return occasionally to say Mass. Connecticut College also said the allegations do not involve the school.

The diocese said it is notifying the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which will direct the Diocese on how to proceed with the canonical process.

To report suspected abuse, contact local law enforcement, the Diocesan Reporting Line at 800-624-7407, the DCF at 800-842-2288, or New York State Child Protective Services at 800-635-1522.