Lynn priest placed on leave after child sexual abuse accusation

By Gal Tziperman Lotan, Globe Correspondent

A Lynn Roman Catholic priest was placed on paid administrative leave Friday because of an accusation of sexual abuse of a child, the Archdiocese of Boston said in a statement today.

The Rev. James E. Gaudreau, 69, arrived at St. Joseph Parish in 1984 as the Spanish apostolate for the Lynn area and became the church’s pastor in 1993, Archdiocese spokeswoman Kellyanne Dignan said in a phone interview.

The alleged abuse occurred in 2006, but the Archdiocese was only notified recently, the statement said.

Dignan declined to release the age of the child or other details.

“We are committed to the protection of children and young people in our parishes and institutions,” Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley said in the statement.

Archdiocese officials said they notified police about the case and have launched an investigation. Lynn police declined to comment.