Four more men accuse priest of sexual abuse

[John]

For those who missed the post before
Kelly wrote:
I was a parishoner of Father Gary's in the 1980's in Queensbury and was at 15 years of age, brought into Father Gary's "office" for a face to face confession that he deemed necessary prior to my confirmation. In this face to face confession he proceeded to ask me detailed question after question about my sexual activity. I was a 15 year old girl and at that point NOT sexually active. He accused me of being an "outsider", my parents not being "involved in the community" and noted that I might be a bit of a "social problem". I was taken quite by surprise.
As a criminologist and adult, I can look back at this incident and recognize that he was attempting to alienate, intimidate and use his position of authority to ask only sexually related questions during my "confession". Further, it was well discussed among my peers that in his face to face confessions with the boys in my class, he was asking many if they had ever masturbated and would press the issue. Appropriate? I think not.
I was not touched, though at the time I did tell my parents that Father Gary's questioning made me uncomfortable. Given Father Gary's position and his close friendships with several families, that is as far as my complaint went.
Before people go accusing these men of lying, consider the shame, humiliation and fear of retaliation they have battled for 25 years. I have no doubt whatsoever that the events occurred based upon my experience. Father Gary is not unfairly accused and these men are not the criminals in this situation. I was not surprised to hear of this news..
Kelly, thank you.
A person can be helpful and good in public and become a monster in private.
What I find more difficult than the abuse is the violent tantrums many that do-gooder holy joes throw when someone states the facts of these monsters' private lives.

[TMW]

To all of you wonderful people who are suffering as a result of Mercure and his deviant behavior, there is help! Call Mark Lyman of SNAP in Albany or Kate Hogan, DA of Warren County. Just so you know, I am the attorney who brought the initial victim forward. If you know anyone who is or has been a victim,please ACT NOW!!! We need to stand together to protect those children who are currently suffering and have no voice!

[TMW]

Lynn wrote:

Do not let ignorance silence these young men anymore.
Several generations of my family have proudly grown up Catholic, faithfully attending church. Father Gary Mercure performed many religious ceremonies over the years for family occasions. We attended his weekly mass and church school, and he often had dinner with my family after he attended one of our many school sporting events. At St. Mary's he was there as we grew up, smiled in our cherished celebration photos and heard our confessions. Like many, we considered Father Gary a member of our family.
This recent news of allegations burned our family phone lines, but never in my God fearing life did I imagine how hard it would hit home: My 18 year old nephew who is away at college broke down with his own confession: The reason he didn't want to attend church, family functions, weddings, or dinners? The reason he went kicking screaming and cursing to his regular "boys therapy" with Father Gary? It wasn't because he was socially introverted or "Difficult to say the least." He confided it was at these very gatherings that he was being targeted and touched by our worshipped Father Gary. Not once,
but repeatedly over the years. This young man is a time zone away at college in tears telling my devastated sister: Mom, he is the reason I am the way I am but he told me you would never believe me if I told you. Like these other victims, who did he have to turn to? Through the victims the true depth of his deceit has emerged. Never again 'Father' in my eyes, where is Gary to answer these questions we as his congregation need answered? My heartbroken family feels betrayed, lied to, and we as a family have no outlet of support. Bishop Hubbard, you need to speak out. Where is the justice for these victims?

LYNN: I just found your posting--your nephew may still be able to press charges against Mercure in NY. I urge you to contact the DA in Warren County, New York (Kate Hogan). Please call her; remain anonymous if you must but see what she can do

[Kelly]

Bonnie Davignon wrote:

Oh, you idiots are just making all of this up! I can't believe you'd actually think Father Gary would really do something like this. Those kids should have their lips sewn shut~

I have to believe that people like you, Bonnie, have serious issues that for some reason lead you to vent your anger and aggression in inappropriate ways. Cleary, you have no clear idea of the suffering that people have been subjected to by Father Gary.
At an extremely impressionable age, this man was placed before me as an authority figure, wrongfully trusted by those who I respected in my community, including my parents who now express remorse. Again, I thank God that my experience with Father Gary just insulted me and left me feeling uncomfortable..even 20 years later. Others were not as fortunate and if you had been subjected to what my peers were, perhaps you wouldn't spew such hateful remarks here. Why do you feel the need to be so horrible to people who have suffered at the hands of this man?
As a 37 year old woman, not a "kid", I wonder who exactly should sew her lips shut? Me or you? Believe me, we all have bigger and better things in our lives than Father Gary. I have no need to make things up 20 years after the fact. Educate yourself.

[mpgstl]

Kelly wrote:

<quoted text>
I have to believe that people like you, Bonnie, have serious issues that for some reason lead you to vent your anger and aggression in inappropriate ways. Cleary, you have no clear idea of the suffering that people have been subjected to by Father Gary.
At an extremely impressionable age, this man was placed before me as an authority figure, wrongfully trusted by those who I respected in my community, including my parents who now express remorse. Again, I thank God that my experience with Father Gary just insulted me and left me feeling uncomfortable..even 20 years later. Others were not as fortunate and if you had been subjected to what my peers were, perhaps you wouldn't spew such hateful remarks here. Why do you feel the need to be so horrible to people who have suffered at the hands of this man?
As a 37 year old woman, not a "kid", I wonder who exactly should sew her lips shut? Me or you? Believe me, we all have bigger and better things in our lives than Father Gary. I have no need to make things up 20 years after the fact. Educate yourself.

Although I do not know Fr. Gary, my own abuse from another RC priest, followed similar patterns of insults and demeaning insinuations ... among other tactics. It fit very well the cycle of abuse ... love/punch, love/punch, approval/disapproval etc. It's an abusive control technique used by predators who know it will affect you, if one values the relationship to begin with. And most Catholics value the relationship and approval with/from their priests. They use their image as "God" to bring one to their knees, feel guilty, and then the rope you in.

Mary

[Esther]

My son can barely function because of the abuse by Mercure. Let us not forget who harbored him and moved him from one parish to another. Bishop Hubbard is just as guilty as these pedophiles he hides. I think he should be prosecuted as an accomplice to these crimes!

[Esther]

Bishop Howard Hubbard is as guilty as the priest who abused my child. He knew and did nothing but move him to other churches. Don't you think it is also a crime? If you know of a murder and hide the perpetrator aren't you just as guilty? I'd like to see both of them Mr. Mercure and Mr Hubbard in handcuffs!

[Michael Flynn]

Would your eyes open wider if it was one of your "Cherished" family members that was victimized. He ABSOLUTELY did do a lot of good...I understand your thought process and I sympathize with YOU and I know GOD will forgive you for your IGNORANCE or a REAL problem!
As you know Gary is no longer practicing...don't you think the Diocese would stand behind him if they believed he was innocent. HE IS NOT!!! I can be reached for commentary at steeley4663@yahoo

Alicia Carey wrote:

I am a parishoner of Sacred Heart-St. Williams in Troy NY, yes, Father Gary Mercure is OUR pastor. For all of you "people" accusing him of these accqusations, God forgive you. Why did you wait SO long to come out? Fr. Gary has done so much for so many helping the poor, reaching out to the less fortunate, and I could go on and on. With all the good he has done not in the church; but for my family and the parishoners of our churches. I know he will be cleared of these "accquastions". I am sure there will be "doubters", again God forgive them too. I will always remember how church was a pleasant experience upon entering when Fr. Gary had mass, however, due to people who are casting stones, our masses are not and will never be the same do to one thing- the unbelievable "stories" you have made up, or relatives telling you these heartless lies. Again GOD FORGIVE YOU!

[Esther]

Alicia please educate yourself before you damn all of us who have been hurt so badly by Mercure. 12 little boys were raped and molested by him. One, mine! I gave him life, Mercure took it away. If you have children, please dear lady talk to them and talk again and again, because he may have hurt your children too. They wait to come forward out of fear and shame among other things such as blocking the whole thing out until they are much older. I will always wonder what great things my son might have done if it weren't for this pedophile. Alicia, GOD FORGIVE YOU!

[john]

Esther wrote:

My son can barely function because of the abuse by Mercure. Let us not forget who harbored him and moved him from one parish to another. Bishop Hubbard is just as guilty as these pedophiles he hides. I think he should be prosecuted as an accomplice to these crimes!

I hope your son and family get help.

[john]

Esther wrote:

Bishop Howard Hubbard is as guilty as the priest who abused my child. He knew and did nothing but move him to other churches. Don't you think it is also a crime? If you know of a murder and hide the perpetrator aren't you just as guilty? I'd like to see both of them Mr. Mercure and Mr Hubbard in handcuffs!

I agree any and all church clergy that know about a crime and fail to act insult a church and civil law.

[nancy]

Michael Flynn wrote:

Would your eyes open wider if it was one of your "Cherished" family members that was victimized. He ABSOLUTELY did do a lot of good...I understand your thought process and I sympathize with YOU and I know GOD will forgive you for your IGNORANCE or a REAL problem!
As you know Gary is no longer practicing...don't you think the Diocese would stand behind him if they believed he was innocent. HE IS NOT!!! I can be reached for commentary at steeley4663@yahoo<quoted text>

Who are you really? "mike flynn" on the radio or the jackass on your "my space" Fr. Gary had to resign do to these circumstances brought against him.

[Esther]

Mike Flynn is a very fine young man who has come forward to help other children from being exposed to a pedophile like Mercure. Too bad, so sad ,Mercure had to resign! But the only way we can be sure that he is not abusing more little boys is to get him into prison! That is my main goal in life right at the moment. I hope you don't have children, girl you may be shocked if you do. Have respect for people like Mike Flynn, he deserves it!

[Michael Flynn]

Nancy...STOP being so NAIVE and open you eyes.
GARY MERCURE had to resign because of the circumstances he brought against himself.
Unfortunetly he will be able to enjoy the rest of his life playing GOLF during RETIREMENT...Oh yeah and he may be able to have YOUNG BOYS caddy for him. Would't that be nice!!!

[Michael Flynn]

BTW Nancy I am not afraid of revealing who I am. What do you think people are going to find out who I am by putting that stuff in your post. How come you didn't say "Jammin Jim Steele"...that's me too. I am not hiding behind anything or anyone.
I didn't notice you posting YOUR e-mail so anyone who questions your blog could respond persanally.
Esther is right...HE should BE IN JAIL!!!

[Cathy]

To Esther,

I think Sister Turlish moved from the 6 Church Drive address you were given. Try her at this e-mail address: [e-mail] and one writer was correct when she said call the police or the prosecutor and also phone the diocesan office or the chancery and give them the basic information. Under no circumstances go to any church office. If in a moment of weakness you do make sure you take a lawyer with you. Never go alone. Also visit www.napsac.us

[Esther]

Thanks Cathy, I'll try that email address. Just to know that some people care helps alot. Bless you.

[Fellow Parishioner]

Pictures tell the whole story!!!!

[givemeabrake]

Fellow Parishioner wrote:

Pictures tell the whole story!!!!

You took the words right out of my mouth. Old saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" Let's see how long Bishop Hubbard will allow these to stay posted without one of his mob putting the pressure on the media to make it dissapear. Not so funny, only one news channel was brave enough to broadcast the pictures of mercure in his tightie whities and porn poses.

[Michael Flynn]

Imagine being stuck in a room with "that" creature in the pictures you saw.
To al lof you who have been consoled in times of need by this "wonderful" priest...I feel sorrow for you.

Remember this one important thing...

Two rights...don't eliminate a wrong!!!

It can't be any more WRONG.Believe now wahat you have HEARD and SEEN!!!!