Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Former Post Falls priest stripped of duties

Staff and wire reports
BOISE — A Roman Catholic priest from Idaho who was accused of sexually abusing a minor in the 1980s has been sanctioned and can no longer serve as a priest . The sanctions approved by Pope Benedict XVI involve Rev. William R. Gould, who most recently was assigned to a parish in Post Falls. Gould was placed on administrative leave in May by Bishop Michael Driscoll amid allegations that he engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior with a male under 18. An investigation followed and results were sent to the Vatican. Today Gould was barred from taking part in any ministry activities within the church and lost his ability to function as a priest. The allegations date back 29 years ago when Gould was assigned to a parish in Idaho Falls. Gould served as pastor and as administrator of St. George’s parish in Post Falls from 1990 until this year. He was acting administrator of St. Catherine’s parish in Priest River in 1994, and administrator of St. Mary Immaculate in Saint Maries from 2004 to 2008.