A priest sex abuse trial has opened with the victim’s lawyer telling the jury that the Roman Catholic Diocese chose to protect priests rather than children. The church attorney is saying that the victim waited too long to file a lawsuit.
The trial involves claims by a former Burlington altar boy who says he was molested by the Reverand Edward Paquette in the late 1970s.
The alleged victim, who was 12 at the time, says the incidents occurred at Christ the King Church in Burlington.
It’s the third priest sex abuse trial against the diocese this year.
All three trials involve allegations the diocese failed to protect young people against Paquette, even though church officials knew of previous child abuse allegations against him.