Father Conrad Bessette
Diocese of Burlington
Ordained: 1973
Removed: 2004
Laicized: 2011
Assigned as follows:
- 1973 St. Monica (Barre, VT)
- 1973-1974 Springfield (St. Mary, VT)
- 1974-1975 St. Mary (St. Albans, VT)
- 1976-1983 Christ the King (Rutland, VT)
- 1984-1987 St. Joseph (Burlington, VT)
- 1987-1989 St. Mary Star of the Sea (Newport, VT)
- 1989 St. Sylvester (Graniteville, VT)
- 1989-1990 St. Anne (Milton, VT)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Conrad Bessette:
According to media reports, Father Conrad Bessette, a Burlington native, was removed from ministry in 1990 by then Bishop John Marshall, after serving for 17 years in eight Vermont parishes. His public faculties were removed in 2004, and he was laicized in 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI.
In August 2019, Father Bessette was accused in a lawsuit filed under the NY Child Victims Act, of sexually abusing a child. That same month, his name appeared publicly on the Diocese of Burlington’s list of clergy credibly accused of sex abuse of minors.
His current whereabouts are unknown.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Burlington. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Burlington, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Burlington now have legal options to recover damages due to a compensation fund created for victims. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an email to [email protected] to discuss your options today.