February 17, 2011 - Archdiocese Announces Three Priests No Longer in the Clerical State

For Immediate Release                                           
Contact:        
Kelly Lynch
[email protected] or (617) 413-9074

(Braintree, Massachusetts)  February 11, 2011… The Archdiocese of Boston today announced that the Holy See has decided that Frederick J. Cartier, Louis J. Govoni and Frederick Guthrie are no longer in the clerical state.  All three men sought, through a voluntary process, to be removed from the clerical state. As a result of the Holy See’s decisions, they may no longer function in any capacity as priests, with the exception of offering absolution to the dying.

Frederick J. Cartier, ordained in 1963, was first accused in 2002 of sexually abusing a minor in the early 1970s.  By the time this allegation was received, Cartier had been out of ministry for more than 20 years having been granted a leave of absence in 1979 and then leaving the Archdiocese of Boston without permission in 1980.

Louis J. Govoni, ordained in 1972, has not been in ministry and has been absent without permission since 1978.  He was first accused in 2002 of sexually abusing a minor in the mid-1970s. 

Frederick Guthrie, ordained in 1962, took a leave from the Archdiocese of Boston in July 2001.  Later that same year, he was charged in New Hampshire with using a computer to solicit a minor and subsequently pled guilty to the charges.

In announcing the Holy See’s decisions, Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley expressed his care and concern for all persons impacted by the painful reality of sexual abuse of children and young people by clergy.  Cardinal Sean also encouraged any person in need of pastoral assistance to contact the Archdiocese’s Office of Pastoral Support and Outreach by calling (781) 794-2581.