Former Boston-Area Priest Defrocked Over Child Abuse Allegations

The Vatican has defrocked a Boston-area priest after a church investigation found him "guilty of abuse of a minor."

The Boston Archdiocese announced Thursday that Thomas H. Maguire may no longer function as a priest in any capacity.

Maguire, ordained in 1976, was placed on leave in October 2012 following allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct in the presence of minors while pastor at St. Helen Mother of the Emperor Constantine Parish in Norwell.

The archdiocese said law enforcement investigated, but the allegations either could not be substantiated or fell outside the statute of limitations. The church concluded the complaints were credible.

A call to the district attorney was not immediately returned. A working phone number for Maguire could not immediately be located. It was not clear if he had a lawyer.