MedicCook
01-19-2008, 10:49 PM
1980s sex allegation against Troy priest to be investigated
TROY - The Rev. Gary Mercure, pastor of Sacred Heart and St. William parishes in Troy, has been granted paid leave of absence from the ministry while an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor in the 1980s is investigated, Albany Roman Catholic Diocese officials said today.
The allegation stems from Mercure's time as associate pastor of Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish in Queensbury. The alleged victim is male who was a young teenager at the time, spokesman Ken Goldfarb said.
The diocese was informed of the allegation on Jan. 11.
Goldfarb said the allegation will be investigated by the diocese's Sexual Misconduct Review Board. The investigation may take months to complete, he said.
When the investigation is complete, the review board will determine whether reasonable grounds exist to believe the allegation and will make a recommendation to Bishop Howard J. Hubbard on what, if any, action should be taken.
The diocese will announce that decision.
The diocese has advised representatives of Sacred Heart and Our Lady of the Annunciation and representatives of the other parishes where Mercure has served since his ordination 33 years ago.
Those parishes are: Our Lady of the Assumption in Latham, St. Teresa of Avila in Albany, St. Mary's in Glens Falls, and St. Mary's in Clinton Heights.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=656711&category=&BCCode=&newsdate=1/19/2008
TROY - The Rev. Gary Mercure, pastor of Sacred Heart and St. William parishes in Troy, has been granted paid leave of absence from the ministry while an allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor in the 1980s is investigated, Albany Roman Catholic Diocese officials said today.
The allegation stems from Mercure's time as associate pastor of Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish in Queensbury. The alleged victim is male who was a young teenager at the time, spokesman Ken Goldfarb said.
The diocese was informed of the allegation on Jan. 11.
Goldfarb said the allegation will be investigated by the diocese's Sexual Misconduct Review Board. The investigation may take months to complete, he said.
When the investigation is complete, the review board will determine whether reasonable grounds exist to believe the allegation and will make a recommendation to Bishop Howard J. Hubbard on what, if any, action should be taken.
The diocese will announce that decision.
The diocese has advised representatives of Sacred Heart and Our Lady of the Annunciation and representatives of the other parishes where Mercure has served since his ordination 33 years ago.
Those parishes are: Our Lady of the Assumption in Latham, St. Teresa of Avila in Albany, St. Mary's in Glens Falls, and St. Mary's in Clinton Heights.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=656711&category=&BCCode=&newsdate=1/19/2008