Convicted former Catholic priest exposed by Spotlight investigation dies at 87
Share this @internewscast.com

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — James Talbot, a former Catholic priest found guilty of sexually abusing boys in both Maine and Massachusetts following exposure by a probe depicted in the film “Spotlight,” has passed away. He was 87 years old.

Talbot, who was an ex-Jesuit, appeared on a list released by the northeastern Jesuit order of individuals with credible accusations of child sexual abuse. Talbot passed away on Feb. 28 at a hospice facility in St. Louis, according to Mike Gabriele, a representative for Jesuits USA East.

Talbot was one of the cases included in The Boston Globe’s award-winning investigation into priest sexual misconduct that earned a Pulitzer Prize in 2003 and inspired the 2015 movie “Spotlight.” The investigation uncovered extensive sexual abuse and a systematic coverup within the Catholic Church. Jesuits USA East did not issue a statement regarding Talbot’s passing.

He pleaded guilty in 2018 to gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual for sexually abusing a 9-year-old boy at a Maine church in the 1990s. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

Prior to the Maine conviction, Talbot spent six years in prison after pleading guilty to raping and sexually assaulting two students in Boston. He has settled lawsuits with more than a dozen victims in addition to the convictions.

Talbot was a former teacher and athletic coach at Boston College High School from 1972 to 1980 before he was transferred to Maine, where he worked at Cheverus High School in Portland until 1998.

Former Boston College High School student Jim Scanlan, 63, reported Talbot’s abuse in Massachusetts. The Associated Press doesn’t typically use the names of sexual assault victims without their consent, which Scanlan provided. His reports led to charges against Talbot.

Scanlan said he has reached out to others who were abused by Talbot. He said he holds people in positions of power within the church accountable for allowing Talbot to continue abusing children over many years.

Scanlan said he has tried to deal with his anger at Talbot, but it’s a long process.

“The opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference,” Scanlan said. “Maybe I just parked him away a long time ago, resolved I couldn’t change what happened.”

Jesuits USA East said Talbot had been residing at the Vianney Renewal Center in Dittmer, Missouri, prior to entering hospice care. The center cares for sexually abusive priests and provides other health care services.

Talbot’s case was emblematic of a pattern of behavior in the Catholic church about how it dealt with sexual abuse and priests. Accusations against him went back decades, and in that time he was transferred to new jurisdictions.

Allegations of a cover-up went all the way up to Cardinal Bernard Law, the former archbishop of Boston. The Globe investigation revealed Law and his predecessors had transferred abusive priests from parish to parish without alerting authorities, or parents. Law died in 2017.

The investigation into the Catholic church opened up wider queries into sex abuse in other religious institutions that uncovered abuse in other faiths and the Boy Scouts.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
NASA delays Artemis moon mission after finding fuel leaks in test run

NASA Postpones Artemis Moon Mission Due to Fuel Leak Detected in Crucial Test

NASA has decided to delay the launch of its Artemis II mission…
Savannah Guthrie asks 'please pray' for her missing mother

Savannah Guthrie Seeks Public’s Prayers in Heartfelt Plea for Missing Mother

“We appreciate your prayers joining ours for our cherished mom,” expressed the…
Timeline: NBC host Savannah Guthrie’s mother disappears as sheriff says she may have been 'abducted'

Urgent Search Underway: Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Feared Abducted, Sheriff Confirms

TUCSON, Ariz. – Authorities in Tucson, Arizona are intensifying their efforts to…
Man arrested for murder after mother found dead at Hidden Hills home

Hidden Hills Tragedy: Man Charged with Murder Following Mother’s Death

Tragedy struck Jacksonville over the weekend when a woman was found dead…
Emmy-winning 'The Simpsons' writer Dan McGrath dies at 61

Three Dog Night Co-Founder Chuck Negron Passes Away at 83

Chuck Negron, the distinctive voice behind several iconic tracks such as “Joy…
Tourist trampled to death by elephant in Thai national park

Elephant Encounter Turns Tragic for Tourist in Thai National Park

A tragic incident at a national park in Thailand has claimed the…
Game-Changer: Detransitioner Wins Huge Judgment in First 'Gender Affirmation' Surgery Malpractice Case

Landmark Ruling: Detransitioner Secures Significant Settlement in Pioneering ‘Gender Affirmation’ Surgery Malpractice Case

These concepts should be straightforward: First, it’s unethical to perform life-changing elective…
Surgeon ex-husband extradited to Ohio in slaying of dentist and wife

Surgeon Charged in Double Homicide Shows No Emotion During Booking – Watch the Unsettling Footage

In newly surfaced video footage, Fox News Digital offers a glimpse into…
Savannah Guthrie asks for prayer as her mother remains missing: 'We need you'

Savannah Guthrie Seeks Community Support and Prayers Amid Mother’s Continued Absence

Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s “Today,” expressed heartfelt gratitude on Monday to…
Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy possibly abducted from her home, authorities say

Urgent: Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Reported Missing – Authorities Suspect Abduction

TUCSON, Ariz. – In a troubling development, Arizona authorities are investigating the…
Republicans struggle to pass compromise bill to end shutdown

Republican Rift Stalls Progress on Compromise Bill, Prolonging Government Shutdown

On Tuesday, congressional Republicans found themselves in a challenging position as they…
Illegal immigrant accused in DUI crash that killed college soccer player, girlfriend: report

Grieving Mother Criticizes Grammy Speeches Following Tragic DUI Crash by Undocumented Driver

A heartbroken mother from North Carolina is voicing her frustration towards Hollywood…