Sex abuse victims seek help to track ex-priest’s whereabouts

BOSTON (AP) — In the 1960s and '70s, Paul Shanley was a popular street priest who counseled gay and troubled youths.

Decades later, he was convicted of raping a boy at a Newton church in the 1980s and sentenced to 12 years in prison. Shanley, now 86, is due to be released Friday, prompting a firestorm of protest from sexual abuse victims.

Wednesday, two men who are among dozens to accuse Shanley of sexual abuse appeared at a news conference with their lawyers and victim advocates to warn the public about Shanley's release and to ask for help in monitoring him.

John Harris said he was a 21-year-old struggling with his decision to reveal his homo- sexuality in 1979 when someone suggested he go see Shanley for counseling.

"He raped me under the pretense of helping me," Harris said.

Denis O'Connor said he was 14 when Shanley sodomized him in the late 1960s.

"If he's released, we've got more children that will be abused," O'Connor said.

Boston attorneys Mitchell Garabedian and Carmen Durso said they represent dozens of men who allege that Shanley sexually abused them as children.

Prosecutors sought to hold Shanley in custody beyond his sentence under a law that allows civil commitment of people who are deemed to be sexually dangerous.