MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – The victim of a Roman Catholic priest who was defrocked last week says he feels vindicated by the Vatican’s decision.

John Moody, 38, was 15 when he says Ronald Corriveau molested him after a party in the rectory of a Manchester church. He kept silent for 20 years because he never thought anyone would take his word over that of an esteemed cleric and community leader.

“As a victim, you feel like nobody is every going to believe you, and now, I feel like everybody knows and everybody believes,” he said Friday.

The Diocese of Manchester announced Thursday that Corriveau was ordered defrocked in March, meaning he no longer may serve as a priest and is cut off from any financial support from the church.

Moody said the news left him nearly speechless.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” Moody told the New Hampshire Union Leader. “No matter what, you carry that with you. It will never go away.”

Moody said he hid his secret for decades, telling only his wife. But when the clergy abuse scandal erupted three years ago, he decided to come forward, filing civil suits against both the diocese and Corriveau.

“I did a lot of soul searching and everything and there were certain things I wanted to come out of this,” he said. “One, just vindication. I wanted people to know that (Corriveau) wasn’t the person he portrayed himself to be.”

Though Moody eventually received a settlement from the diocese, he said his motivation never was money.

“I needed people to know I was telling the truth,” he said.

Corriveau, who last served as pastor of St. Joseph Church in Epping, is believed to be the first New Hampshire priest to be defrocked. His last known address was in Nashua, but a telephone listing for him could not be found.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Will Delker said Corriveau never was charged with any crimes, but the allegations were within the statute of limitations and charges still could be brought.