New allegations have resurfaced concerning the conduct of Gelineau, a bishop previously associated with the Burlington Diocese, drawing renewed attention to the long-standing abuse scandal linked to St. Joseph’s Orphanage in Burlington, Vermont. Gelineau, ordained in 1954, served 17 years in the diocese and held key leadership roles as chancellor and vicar general, positions through which he oversaw the assignment and administration of clergy members, including those accused of sexual abuse.
The Burlington Diocese’s history of covering up abuse allegations predates the widely publicized clergy scandal that emerged in Boston in the early 2000s. Cases related to the diocese first gained public notice in 1993 following a lawsuit filed by a former resident alleging abuse at St. Joseph’s Orphanage, which operated from 1854 until its closure in 1974. The initial lawsuit resulted in a settlement accompanied by a nondisclosure agreement. Subsequent claims were hindered by statutes of limitations, leading the diocese to offer victims a $5,000 settlement on the condition they remain silent publicly. According to local reports, nearly 200 individuals accepted this agreement.
Over time, a broader pattern of systemic abuse and institutional negligence emerged, echoing similar scandals across other U.S. dioceses and internationally. Investigations revealed that under Gelineau’s leadership, no action was taken against priests, seminarians, or nuns implicated in committing abuse against children at the orphanage. The Diocese’s reluctance to address the wrongdoing eventually exposed it to significant legal and financial consequences.
By 2024, facing mounting claims and settlements totaling approximately $40 million, the Burlington Diocese filed for bankruptcy. This financial strain forced the sale of the 32-acre site on Lake Champlain where St. Joseph’s stood. Over its 120 years of operation, an estimated 13,000 children passed through the orphanage, many of whom have since come forward to share their experiences.
In 2025, a memorial dedicated to survivors was unveiled near the former orphanage grounds, now redeveloped into an apartment complex. The memorial serves as both a tribute to those affected and a stark reminder of the Diocese’s failure to protect vulnerable children under its care. The renewed scrutiny of Gelineau’s role underscores ongoing concerns about accountability within church leadership during this dark chapter in Vermont’s history.