Priest placed on leave after allegation made

Rev. Gary Mercure, pastor of Sacred Heart and St. William parishes in Troy, has requested and been granted by the Albany Diocese a leave of absence, pending the outcome of an investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct involving a minor.

The allegation dates to the mid-1980s when Father Mercure was associate pastor of Our Lady of the Annunciation parish in Queensbury.

The allegation will be investigated by the Diocese's Sexual Misconduct Review Board. When the investigation is completed, 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 the decision.

The Diocese has also informed representatives of Sacred Heart and Our Lady of the Annunciation, and representatives of the other parishes where Father 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.

The Albany Diocese has a zero tolerance policy for clergy sexual abuse of minors. No priest or deacon whom the Diocese has reasonable grounds to believe sexually abused a minor at any time is permitted to remain in public ministry.

The Albany Diocese encourages anyone who, as a minor, was sexually abused by Albany diocesan clergy to report the incident to law enforcement authorities or the Diocese so that the allegation can be investigated and so that the Diocese can provide assistance to the victim.

Theresa Rodrigues, the diocesan assistance coordinator, can be reached at (518) 453-6646 or at [email protected].

It is the policy of the Albany Diocese to investigate thoroughly any report of clergy sexual misconduct.

(01/24/08) [[In-content Ad]]