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Vermont Catholic Diocese Acknowledges Priest Sex Abuse Allegations
Bishop promises cooperation as lawsuits and settlements loom
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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In the wake of the priest sex abuse scandal in Boston, Vermont's Catholic Bishop Kenneth Angell issued a statement acknowledging allegations against Vermont priests and pledging the diocese's cooperation in uncovering abuse. The diocese would go on to face dozens of lawsuits from victims and pay millions in settlements in the years to come.
Why it matters
The Catholic Church's sexual abuse crisis had a major impact on communities across the country, including in Vermont, where the revelations and subsequent investigations and lawsuits shook parishioners' faith and trust in the church leadership.
The details
After the widespread abuse allegations surfaced in Boston, a rising number of similar claims were made against priests in Vermont. In response, Bishop Kenneth Angell issued a statement saying the diocese would cooperate in uncovering any abuse, acknowledging 'human weakness, sickness, and sin can sometimes overwhelm a person, even a person in religion' and that the church had an 'obligation to act decisively for the good of god's people'.
- In the wake of revelations of priest sex abuse in Boston
- On this day in history, February 27, 2026
The players
Bishop Kenneth Angell
The Catholic bishop of the Vermont diocese who acknowledged the abuse allegations and pledged cooperation.
Vermont Catholic Diocese
The Catholic diocese in Vermont that faced dozens of lawsuits and paid millions in settlements related to priest sex abuse allegations.
What they’re saying
“We know that human weakness, sickness, and sin can sometimes overwhelm a person, even a person in religion. If and when that happens, we have an obligation to act decisively for the good of god's people.”
— Bishop Kenneth Angell (WCAX)
What’s next
The diocese would continue to face lawsuits and settlements in the years following Bishop Angell's statement as the full scope of the abuse allegations became clear.
The takeaway
The Vermont Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal mirrored the broader crisis facing the Catholic Church nationwide, shaking parishioners' faith and trust in church leadership and leading to costly legal battles that would impact the diocese for years to come.
