In August, as part of a grand jury report released in Pennsylvania, a priest named John Pascal Sabas was listed as an individual accused of sexual abuse of a minor. Though not a priest of the Diocese of Portland, the grand jury report stated that he served in Maine in the early 1960s at Sacred Heart Church in Yarmouth and St. Joseph Church in Portland. The abuse was reported as having occurred in Pennsylvania after he left Maine. A subsequent review of our files shows that no allegations have been received concerning this priest. All the same, the diocese encourages any victims/survivors of this priest to come forward and contact civil authorities as well as Michael Magalski, Director of the Office of Professional Responsibility for the Diocese of Portland, at (207) 321-7836 or michael.magalski@portlanddiocese.org. As always, the diocese wants to do what it can to assist, if at all possible, in a process which leads to healing. Our prayers and sorrow extend to all victims/survivors and their families. May our Loving Father continue to send his Spirit over us to guide our vigilance in providing for the care and safety of all in our Church.
 
 

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