North Dakota priest defrocked

My in-laws do not beleive this is really happening, its a conspiracy against the church by the media. Of course these people of God really couldn't do this kind of thing. Could they? YES!


By The Associated Press - 03/28/08
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Roman Catholic priest who spent time at several churches in North Dakota has been defrocked for molesting boys, church officials said.

James Pommier, 82, was removed from the priesthood late last year by the Vatican, citing ‘‘ecclesiastical crimes against youth,’’ said Joel Melarvie, a Bismarck Diocese spokesman.

The announcement was placed in a recent edition of ‘‘Dakota Catholic Action,’’ a monthly magazine published by the diocese, Melarvie said.

Pommier began his priesthood in Dickinson, N.D., in 1954.

He also spent time at parishes in Mott, New Leipzig, Max, Fallon, Scranton, Carson, Grenora, Bismarck and Minot, Melarvie said.

Pommier left North Dakota in 1977, and spent time at parishes in Washington and Montana until three years ago, Melarvie said. Pommier’s movements in those states are unclear, Melarvie said, adding that it also is unclear whether there were allegations of abuse in those states.
Pommier is believed to be living in Port Orchard, Wash., Melarvie said.

He has an unlisted telephone number there and could not be reached for comment.

Melarvie said sex abuse allegations against Pommier first surfaced in 1962. Accusations continued until 1977 in North Dakota, he said.

The boys ranged in age from 10 to late teens, Melarvie said.

Melarvie said he did not know the number of accusations against Pommier.

But he said the church has paid out more than $326,000 to four people in North Dakota since 2004.