ANDOVER, Mass. (AP) — The pastor of a Roman Catholic church in Massachusetts has been placed on administrative leave after he was accused of sexually abusing a minor nearly 30 years ago.

The Archdiocese of Boston announced Tuesday that the Rev. Peter Gori of St. Augustine’s Church in Andover has been removed from ministry, and law enforcement and as well as Gori’s religious order, the Augustinian Order of St. Thomas of Villanova, have been informed.

Mitchell Garabedian, an attorney for the alleged victim, said in a statement that his client was about 10 years old when he was abused by Gori. Garabedian said by coming forward his client is “trying to heal.”


Gori was not at the church and it’s not clear if he has an attorney who could comment.