Post Falls priest on leave after sex misconduct allegation

POST FALLS - The Catholic Church has placed a Post Falls priest on paid administrative leave after an allegation of sexual misconduct with a male under 18 dating back to 1981 in Idaho Falls.

Rev. William R. Gould, 71, was placed on leave last Tuesday by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise. Bishop Michael Driscoll notified parishioners at St. George's Catholic Church of the decision over the weekend.

"Father Gould has denied that this allegation is true," Driscoll told the parish in a statement. "The Diocese, in compliance with our misconduct policies, as well as those under the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is investigating this issue.

"We are working on arrangements to have priests temporarily fill in during Father Gould's absence."

Administrative leave means Gould, ordained in 1965, can't function publicly as a Catholic priest, can't wear a priest collar and is forbidden from publicly celebrating Mass. He has been the pastor at St. George's since 1990.

Gould was unavailable for comment. A call to St. George's was referred to the Diocese in Boise.

"At this time, we don't know how long it will take to complete our investigation, nor do we know what the outcome will be," Driscoll said. "It may take some time to complete our work on this matter, as we will also have to forward our findings on to Rome, then await their instructions on how to proceed."

Mike Brown, Diocese spokesman, said a contractor not affiliated with the Catholic Church will conduct the investigation.

Gould was also placed on administrative leave in 2005 for sexual misconduct with an adult, a claim that was substantiated, Brown said.

"Father Gould received treatment at an out-of-state facility and returned to ministry in early 2006 at the request of the parish," Brown said. "There have been no subsequent complaints or allegations about Father Gould since that time."