Maine’s Roman Catholic bishop has allowed a retired South Portland priest to resume some duties, more than three years after he was forced to resign for covering up allegations of sexual abuse within the church.

In October of 2004, Bishop Richard Malone asked Father Paul Coughlin to resign as pastor of Holy Cross and St. John parishes in South Portland. Coughlin broke church policy when he failed to report allegations against a church volunteer, John Skinner, in the 1980s.

Coughlin also allowed Skinner to live in the rectory of St. John the Evangelist Church, without notifying the parish or diocesan leaders about the allegations.

Skinner was later convicted and sentenced to five years in prison for sexually abusing two boys he met through the church. Both victims participated in youth programs at St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church in Lincoln, where Skinner volunteered.

Besides protecting Skinner, Coughlin also was found to have had inappropriate physical contact with a minor in 1985 while he was serving at St. Mary’s Church in Bangor, according to the diocese. But that contact did not amount to sexual abuse, and Coughlin was never charged with any crime, or punished by the church for the incident.

Bishop Malone decided in November to allow Coughlin to return to the ministry on a limited basis. He is allowed to conduct Mass on a fill-in basis at parishes, if a priest is sick or on vacation, said diocesan spokeswoman Sue Bernard. He can also perform weddings, funerals and other church ceremonies.

But Coughlin, 73, will not be allowed to minister full time at a parish. He also is not allowed to perform any duties in South Portland, Bangor or Wells. Those are the parishes where Coughlin associated with Skinner.

Bernard said Coughlin has only led one Mass since Malone’s decision.

“I believe Father Coughlin has had adequate time to reflect on his actions,” Malone said in a written statement issued Wednesday.

Malone said he will review the decision periodically, and Coughlin must notify the diocese before accepting any requests to perform services.