By Ann S. Kim, Associated Press, 4/27/02

| Complete coverage |  AG'S REPORT Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly released the results of a 16-month investigation into clergy sex abuse in the Boston archdiocese. Download report [PDF, 1.4 MB] (File requires Adobe Acrobat)  TODAY'S GLOBE A new leader reaches out 3 faces in crowd bound in hopeh At BC, students watch with awe O'Malley's homily reveals frank man Near cathedral, voices of protest 'Good priests' moved to tears Text of Archbishop O'Malley's homily Sandwiches, chips were bill of fare An angry protest, and prayers  GRAPHICS The moment of installation Viewer's guide Ceremony TV coverage  Processional O'Malley's vestments O'Malley's coat of arms Cathedral of the Holy Cross  REALVIDEO | NECN.com | Help with video | O'Malley to be installed today Great expectations of O'Malley Video clips require RealPlayer and Windows 98 or higher.  INTERACTIVE FEATURE An interactive timeline of the developing church crisis, featuring photos and audio.   View timeline  IN-DEPTH Boston's new archbishop Bishop Sean Patrick O'Malley has been chosen to succeed Cardinal Law as leader of the archdiocese. Reaction to O'Malley appointment Accused priests are vindicated Three priests have been exonerated after being suspended from their posts over abuse allegations.  CARDINAL BERNARD LAW Coverage of his resignation Career timeline: Priest to cardinal Changing statements on abuse Coverage of his tenure in Boston Photos: Law through the years Boston.com readers' comments  CONTACT SPOTLIGHT If you have information on child abuse by priests, call (617) 929-3208 Or leave a confidential message at this number (617) 929-7483 The Spotlight Team e-mail address is spotlight@globe.com.

MAINE -- A parish priest in Ellsworth has been stripped of his post because of an allegation of sexual abuse, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland announced Saturday.

The Rev. Leo James Michaud was removed as pastor of Saint Joseph's parish Thursday. The diocese said it was contacted this week by a man who said Michaud abused him about 25 years ago, when Michaud was a seminarian and the alleged victim was between the ages of 16 and 19.

Michaud could not be reached for comment at either his home or the parish offices.

Diocesan spokeswoman Sue Bernard said she did not know whether Michaud denied the allegations.

Bishop Joseph Gerry announced last month that there will be no public ministry for any priest in Maine who faces a credible allegation of sexually abusing a minor.

Michaud's removal comes on the heels of a two-day Vatican summit on sexual abuse by clergy in which Pope John Paul II said there was no room for sex abusers in the church. American church leaders agreed to make it easier to defrock priests guilty of "the serial, predatory" abuse of children but stopped short of adopting a "zero-tolerance" policy.

"Just this past week the Holy Father again reminded us that sexual abuse of a minor is contrary to everything the church teaches and totally foreign to the very nature of the priesthood itself," Gerry said in a statement. "I can well imagine that those of you who have benefited from the positive ministry of Father Michaud are as saddened as I am."

Last month, Gerry removed two priests from their posts in the St. John Valley in northern Aroostook County over the objections of parishioners. The Rev. Michael Doucette and John Audibert each had admitted having abused a teen-age boy more than 20 years ago.

The diocese said it informed civil authorities about the accusations against Michaud, who will soon be sent for a psychological evaluation.

Michaud was the pastor at St. Joseph's in Ellsworth for six years. Following his 1977 ordination in his hometown of St. Agatha, Michaud served in Old Town, Newcastle, Biddeford, Augusta, Lewiston and Caribou.

The diocese said a temporary administrator will be named for St. Joseph's this week and that a new pastor will be named in July.