DOVER, N.H. (AP) – After nearly nine months on administrative leave following a 30-year-old sexual abuse allegation, the Rev. Paul Gregoire was welcomed back warmly by parishioners who packed the church Sunday to hear him celebrate Mass.

But parishioners who filled the pews at St. Charles Borromeo Parish also turned out to see Gregoire share the altar with Diocese of Manchester Bishop John B. McCormack, who some blame for Gregoire’s departure.

McCormack has been criticized by some Catholics, who say he used Gregoire as a scapegoat during the abuse scandal that has rocked the Roman Catholic Church in the past year.

McCormack reinstated Gregoire last week after an investigation found there was insufficient evidence to prove he molested a girl in Seattle during the 1970s. Gregoire denied the charge.

McCormack began the Mass by apologizing to Gregoire and the congregation for any pain caused by the way he and other Catholic authorities handled the case.

Gregoire, 74, who has been the priest at the church since 1993, showed no emotion from his seat on a wooden chair under a crucifix as McCormack spoke.

“I have apologized to you privately and now I apologize to you publicly for all the hurt you have experienced,” McCormack said, turning to look at Gregoire.

While McCormack never said Gregoire’s removal was a mistake or mishandled, he acknowledged after the service the process used was “new.”

Gregoire spent the majority of his sermon thanking parishioners for all the supportive mail he received during his time away from the church, drawing applause when he joked the parishioners could throw out his Post Office box address now that he was back at St. Charles.

“I appreciate it … and I am thoroughly moved,” Gregoire said.

At the end of the sermon he received a standing ovation, and a few women wiped tears from their eyes.

The first of the traditional prayer offerings read: “That the church, its representatives and its institutions deal fairly and honestly with employees. We pray to the Lord,” to which the congregation replied “Lord, hear our prayer.”

Gregoire said the morning was more emotional for him than when he celebrated his first Mass at St. Charles in 1955, the year he was ordained. He said he looked forward to resuming his duties as a pastor in Dover, where he was born and raised.

He said he held no bitterness about his nine-month ordeal.

“Things happen in life. Bitterness eats away at the one who feels it,” Gregoire said. “The past is past and I’m not bitter at anyone or anybody.”

As they spilled onto the church steps, parishioners warmly greeted and hugged him.

A few said they hoped the tensions between McCormack and some members of the parish can be set aside now that “Father Paul” was home.

“We certainly hope so,” said Eva Targeon, who praised Gregoire’s return and dismissed the sex abuse allegations. “It’s time to start over.”

But others resented the appearance by McCormack, who also has been accused of shuffling abusive priests from one parish to another when he was a top aide to Cardinal Bernard Law in Boston.

“He’s putting on a show, to show that he’s part of the welcoming. Most people know that,” said John Miskus, 70, who also criticizes McCormack for his actions in the Boston archdiocese scandal.

“I forgive (McCormack). We all do,” Miskus said. “But the pope, even after being shot, forgave his shooter and his shooter stayed in jail for 20 years.”

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