She says she was abused by a Maine priest 60 years ago, but wasn’t invited to church settlement process

Maine Woman Seeks Settlement After Decades of Abuse by Catholic Priest; Diocese Has Yet to Respond

A 68‑year‑old woman from Windham has asked the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland for a $2 million settlement after alleging she was sexually abused by Rev. Lawrence Sabatino in the 1950s and 1960s, but the diocese has so far refused to engage. Stevens’ case is the only one among more than a dozen civil claims that has not yet been included in the diocese’s settlement program, which settled more than 100 other claims over the past several years.

The Abuse

Kimberly Watkins Stevens says she was first abused by the priest when she was eight years old. She recalls being taken by Sabatino from Mass and then to a bakery for a treat, after which he would escort her to a property in Windham where he allegedly abused her. Stevens claims the abuse occurred five times before her parents intervened and ended the relationship, forcing Sabatino to stop seeing her.

Stevens’ narrative mirrors that of other adults who have come forward. The Rev. Sabatino, who died in 1990, had been assigned to nine different parishes over a 30‑year period and is listed as one of 20 “credibly accused” clergy in a 2004 Maine Attorney General report. In the 1950s, a mother attempted to report him to police, but no action was taken.

The Legal Landscape

The state of Maine changed its law in 2021 to remove the statute of limitations on child‑sexual‑abuse cases, allowing victims to file lawsuits even if many years had passed. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland attempted to file a claim against the bishop in 2021 when the law changed, but in 2025 the Maine Supreme Judicial Court reversed the statute‑of‑limitations waiver, citing constitutional concerns. The diocese’s attorney, Mitchell Garabedian, a Massachusetts lawyer known for handling abuse cases, said the bishop was not invited to participate in the settlement process for Stevens.

“​There is unfortunately nothing unique to this claim from Ms. Stevens,” Garabedian said on Friday. “The diocese has refused to engage with settlement requests for more than five years.” He also told reporters that the diocese has only settled older claims when all active plaintiffs agreed to participate, and that at least one plaintiff had to agree not to sue a different religious order.

Settlements and Ongoing Claims

In August 2026, the diocese announced that it had reached settlements with dozens of former parishioners. An attorney for one of the groups said the total payout was a seven‑figure amount, though the diocese has declined to disclose exact figures. The settlement agreement required all plaintiffs to waive the right to sue the diocese’s legal counsel and other religious bodies involved.

Despite these agreements, Stevens has remained excluded. Her attorney has said that she has not been invited to the settlement meetings, and that the diocese has not yet provided any documentation of an offer. The diocese’s spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.

“​Stevens, who was abused by Rev. Sabatino, has not been invited to participate in the settlement process,” Garabedian explained. “The diocese has been refusing to engage with her for more than five years.”

Stevens’ Perspective

Stevens said she learned of the diocese’s settlements from media coverage and felt the need to speak publicly. “I want to bring attention to how the diocese has treated my case,” she told reporters outside the diocesan chancery in Portland. She has sought counseling after the abuse and says that, although she was recently baptized, she now practices as a Protestant and finds comfort in her faith.

“I did go through a time where it was like, how can a priest do this to me?” Stevens said. “And how can I believe in anything?” She added that she prays daily and that the abuse has left her with “low periods,” but she remains hopeful that justice will be served.

Next Steps

The diocese’s refusal to engage in settlement talks has prompted criticism from survivors’ advocates, who argue that the diocese should address all claims fairly, regardless of the age of the case or the number of other settlements. If the diocese continues to ignore Stevens’ request, she may seek other legal avenues, including filing a complaint with the Maine Attorney General or pursuing a civil suit under the former statute‑of‑limitations law, though the latter was invalidated in 2025.

Meanwhile, the diocese continues to settle other claims, including those involving clergy who were assigned to multiple parishes over decades. The diocese has not released details on the amounts paid, but it has stated that all settlements were made in good faith and with the aim of providing closure for survivors.

Community Response

Survivors’ groups in Maine have called for transparency in the diocese’s settlement process. “Every victim deserves a chance to be heard and to receive compensation for their suffering,” said a spokesperson for a local advocacy organization. “The diocese’s refusal to engage with Ms. Stevens is deeply troubling.”

The case also highlights ongoing challenges in addressing historical sexual abuse by clergy. While some claims have been settled, others remain unresolved, and survivors continue to fight for recognition and justice.

Conclusion

Kimberly Watkins Stevens’ pursuit of a settlement reflects a broader struggle for justice among survivors of church‑related sexual abuse. While the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland has reached agreements with many former parishioners, its refusal to engage with Stevens’ claim underscores the complexities of addressing decades‑old abuse allegations in light of changing statutes and legal precedents. Whether the diocese will ultimately offer a settlement or if Stevens will pursue alternative legal remedies remains to be seen.