A Catholic priest who has positions at a Center Grove area parish and a southside high school has been suspended from ministry following a report of sexual abuse against a minor, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
Fr. David Marcotte, who had been living at Saints Francis and Clare in the Center Grove area, was suspended on Tuesday, less than a week after the archdiocese’s victim assistance coordinator received a report of sexual abuse involving a minor from 2016. He has not been arrested or charged with a crime.
Marcotte had first been an associate pastor at SS. Francis and Clare in 2014, then returned to the parish in 2017 and was providing sacramental assistance, which means he was helping with saying Mass, the archdiocese said. He was living at SS Francis and Clare, but is no longer allowed on the property due to his suspension, the statement said. He was also the chaplain at Roncalli High School up until the time of his suspension.
The SS Francis and Clare parish includes a church and school for children ages six weeks through eighth grade, and is located on Olive Branch Road in the Center Grove area. Roncalli is a private Catholic High School located on the far southside of Indianapolis, not far from the county line.
On Feb. 6, the Archdiocese’s victim assistance coordinator received a report of sexual abuse involving a minor from 2016. The Archdiocese immediately filed a report with civil authorities, and notified the chairperson of the Archdiocesan Review Board. The Archdiocese is cooperating with law enforcement, the statement said.
He was suspended on Tuesday.
During his suspension, he is not allowed on church property and cannot present himself as a priest, Archdiocese of Indianapolis spokesperson Greg Otolski said in a written statement.
Marcotte was a chaplain at University of Indianapolis in 2017 and 2018, was associate pastor at St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg in 2016 and administrator at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Martinsville in 2017.
Saints Francis and Clare referred all questions and comments to the Archdiocese, and Roncalli did not return a phone call.
“The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is committed to protecting children and vulnerable adults from sexual abuse and misconduct,” the statement said. “Let us hold all victims of sexual abuse and misconduct and their families in prayer.”
