SNAP SW Ontario Releases List of Credibly Accused Priests of the Roman Catholic Diocese of London (Ont).

December 04, 2019

The following individuals were Roman Catholic priests who were either incardinated priests of the Roman Catholic Diocese of London (Ontario) or committed the offences noted while serving within the geographical and ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Diocese of London.

If the individual belonged to another Religious Order of Diocese at the time, it is noted in parentheses. These 36 individuals were criminally convicted, and/or criminally charged by more than one complainant and/or sued in a civil lawsuit which resolved for more than $50,000. These categories are the basis of their “credibly accused” status. The time period of offences contained within this list is 1952 to 2005, being a period of 54 years inclusive. The events take place in numerous communities throughout the Diocese of London and in some cases also elsewhere. The individuals in this List are limited to those who offended with young people, being minor males or females, under the age of 18. Members on this list are both deceased and living, with a ꝉ symbol noting those who are now deceased.

A copy of this list with citations and links to supporting information can be found here.

1. Father Linus Bastien ꝉ

He was charged in October 2011 with indecent assault, gross indecency, sexual assault, and invitation to touching in relation to 7 boys, but died in June 2016 prior to trial. Multiple lawsuits have been filed and settled in relation to Father Bastien. He is known to have abused between 1963-1989 in Essex and Maidstone.

2. Father James (Jim) F. Blonde

Multiple lawsuits were filed in 2017 and ultimately settled in relation to Father Blonde’s abuse of girls. He is known to have abused between 1972-1973 in Chatham.

3. Father Richard Boll ꝉ

In 2001, he was convicted of gross indecency, indecent assault, and sexual assault of numerous boys in London. He received a two year prison sentence. Multiple lawsuits have been filed and settled in relation to Father Boll.

4. Father Leo Campbell (Basilian) ꝉ

Lawsuits were filed in 2009 and 2017 in relation to Father Campbell’s abuse of boys, and ultimately settled. He is known to have abused between 1974-1980 in Windsor and Sault Ste. Marie.

5. Father Robert Albert Charbonneau ꝉ

A lawsuit was filed in relation to Father Charbonneau in 2015, and ultimately settled. He is known to have abused a boy between 1974-1977 in Windsor.

6. Father Leo Charron ꝉ

In 1993, he was convicted of indecent assault and gross indecency of one boy, and was sentenced to 4 months in prison. Multiple lawsuits have been filed and settled in relation to Father Charron. He is known to have abused between 1964-1968 in Windsor and Pain Court.

7. Father Colm Corrigan (Spiritan Father) ꝉ

Lawsuits were filed in relation to Father Corrigan in 2010 and 2011, and ultimately settled. He is known to have abused girls in Windsor between 1958-1959.

8. Father Pascal Thomas Cromien ꝉ

In 2001, he was convicted of indecent assault in relation to a boy and sentenced to 20 months in prison. He is known to have abused between 1975-1978 in Woodstock.

9. Father Gabriele Del Bianco

He was convicted in 2014 of 2 counts of sexual assault and 1 count of gross indecency for the abuse of girls. He is known to have abused in the late 1980s – early 1990s in Wallaceburg, Lakeshore, and Windsor. Multiple lawsuits have been filed and settled in relation to Father Del Bianco.

10. Father John Correirra Duarte

He was convicted in 2010 of nine counts of sexual exploitation, and received an 18-month prison sentence and 3 years’ probation. He is known to have abused in Haiti from 1995-2005.

11. Father Andy Dwyer

A legal demand in relation to Father Dwyer was made in 2019 and ultimately settled. He is known to have abused teen boys between 1976-1981 in London and Windsor.

12. Father Michael Fallona (Basilian)

A lawsuit was filed in 2009 in relation to Father Fallona’s abuse of a female, and ultimately settled. He is known to have abused between 1976-1977 in Windsor.

13. Father Barry Glendinning ꝉ

In 1974, he pled guilty to six counts of gross indecency for the abuse of five boys and one girl. He received a suspended sentence, as well as three years of probation. Multiple lawsuits have been filed and settled in relation to Father Glendinning, and a civil trial took place in 2003. He is known to have abused between 1964-1976 in London, Windsor and later after his conviction in Edmonton.

14. Father John Blake Harper ꝉ

He was convicted of indecent assault in relation to a total of 9 boys in 1988 (receiving a suspended sentence) and in 2003 (receiving three years probation). He is known to have abused in the Aylmer, Windsor, Stratford, and London. Multiple lawsuits have been filed and settled in relation to Father Harper.

15. Father Charles Lanoue ꝉ

A lawsuit was filed in 2017 in relation to Father Lanoue’s abuse of a boy, and ultimately settled. He is known to have abused in 1970 in Windsor.

16. Father Ulysee Achille Lefaive ꝉ

A lawsuit was filed in 2014 in relation to Father Lefaive’s abuse of a girl, and ultimately settled. He is known to have abused in 1966 in Sarnia.

17. Father Cameron MacLean

He was convicted in 2001 of indecent assault and sexual assault involving 8 boys. He was sentenced to 2 years less a day in prison. He is known to have abused between 1969-1985 in London and Windsor. Multiple lawsuits have been filed and settled in relation to Father MacLean.

18. Father Hodgson Marshall ꝉ (Basilian)

In 2011 and 2012, he was convicted of numerous counts of indecent assault, gross indecency, and sexual assault in relation to 16 boys and one girl. He received a two-year prison sentence. He is known to have abused between 1947-1985 in Rochester, Windsor, Toronto, Sudbury, Saskatoon, and Sault Ste. Marie. Multiple lawsuits have been filed and settled in relation to Father Marshall, and a civil trial took place in 2018. The jury’s award in that trial was substantially upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2019.

19. Father Douglas Mercer ꝉ

A lawsuit was filed in 2009 in relation to Father Mercer’s abuse of a teen boy, and ultimately settled. He is known to have abused in 1983 in Windsor.

20. Father Robert Morrisey

He was convicted of attempted buggery and indecent assault in relation to boys in 1993. In 1995, the sexual convictions were overturned, though the assault conviction was maintained. He is known to have abused between 1961-1964 in Uxbridge.

21. Father Joe Nelligan ꝉ

A lawsuit was filed in relation to Father Nelligan in 2000 for his abuse of a boy, and ultimately settled. He is known to have abused in Tillsonburg and Windsor between 1974-1978.

22. Father Thomas C. O’Flaherty ꝉ

Lawsuits were filed in relation to Father O’Flaherty’s abuse of boys in 2013 and 2019, and ultimately settled. He is known to have abused in London between 1976-1981.

23. Father Laurent (Lawrence) C. Paquette ꝉ

20 lawsuits have been filed and settled in relation to Father Paquette from 2008 onwards, for his abuse of boys. He is known to have abused between 1952-1972 in Wardsville, St. Clair Beach, and Grande Pointe.

24. Father Konstanty (Konnie) Przybylski

In 2006, he was convicted of sexual assault and sexual exploitation in relation to 2 boys and sentenced to 5 years in prison. He is known to have abused between 1995-2000 in Port Dover. Two lawsuits have been filed and settled in relation to Father Przybylski.

25. Father Ron Reeves ꝉ

A lawsuit was filed in 2013 in relation to Father Reeve’s abuse of a girl, and ultimately settled. He is known to have abused between 1970-1973 in Alymer.

26. Father William Ring ꝉ

A lawsuit was filed in 2006 in relation to Father Ring’s abuse of a girl, and ultimately settled. He is known to have abused in Thamesville in 1973.

27. Father Alcide Alphonse Robert ꝉ

3 lawsuits have been filed and settled from 2014 onwards in relation to Father Robert. A civil trial was held in 2017, and an appeal in 2018. He is known to have abused boys between 1963-1986 in Toronto, Cornwall, Seaforth, and Windsor.

28. Father Bernard Aubigny Robert ꝉ

24 lawsuits have been filed and settled from 2011 onwards in relation to Father Robert’s abuse of boys. He is known to have abused between 1973-1989 in Langton and Tilbury.

29. Father Gary Emile Roy ꝉ

He was convicted in 1998 of indecent assault in relation to 2 boys, and received a 4 month prison sentence. He is known to have abused in Sarnia between 1981-1983. Multiple lawsuits have been filed and settled in relation to Father Roy.

30. Father Alfred Francis Sasso ꝉ

He was convicted of 3 counts of gross indecency with respect to boys in 1980, and was sentenced to three months in prison. He is known to have abused between 1978-1980 in Watford, Mount Carmel, and Owen Sound. In 2013, a lawsuit was filed in relation to Father Sasso and ultimately settled.

31. Father Piotr Scanzenko ꝉ

He was charged in 2010 with indecent assault in relation to two boys, but the charges were stayed in 2013. Multiple lawsuits have been filed and settled in relation to Father Scanzenko. He is known to have abused between 1963-1973 in Chatham.

32. Father Godwin Scerri (Missionary Society of St. Paul)

He was charged in 2010 with gross indecency and sexual assault in relation to a boy. A lawsuit was also filed in relation to Father Scerri in 2010, and ultimately settled. He fled Canada to Malta, and an arrest warrant is outstanding. He is known to have abused between 1983-1987 in Emeryville.

33. Father John Gerald Stock (Scarboro Missions) ꝉ

In 1999, he was convicted of 16 counts of gross indecency and indecent assault for the abuse of boys. He received a prison sentence of 2 years less a day, as well as 3 years probation. He is known to have abused between 1959-1981 in Kinkora, Stratford, and London. Multiple lawsuits have been filed and settled in relation to Father Stock.

34. Father Charles Sylvestre ꝉ

In 2006, he pled guilty to 47 counts of indecent assault for the abuse of girls. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison. He is known to have abused between 1952-1989 in Hamilton, Windsor, London, Sarnia, Chatham, and Pain Court. Over 78 civil lawsuits have been filed in relation to Father Sylvestre, and a civil trial took place in 2011.

35. Father Michael Francis White ꝉ

In 1994, he was convicted of one count of indecent assault on a girl in London. He was sentenced to 18 months probation.

36. Father James (Jim) Williams ꝉ

A lawsuit was filed in 2018 in relation to Father Williams, and ultimately settled. He is known to have abused a boy in London in 1960.

This list is a work in progress and any additional information, corrections or comments are welcome. Accuracy, accountability and transparency is the ultimate goal. If you wish to make comment or correction please contact:

Brenda Brunelle – Southwestern Ontario SNAP Leader at – [email protected] 1 519 903-7503

Jerry Boyle SNAP Member at - [email protected] 1 519 241-8165

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Showing 13 comments

Bonnie Morrison commented 2019-12-19 04:53:01 -0600
Wow! There’s so much I wish I could say about this! I’ll begin by saying how thankful all is good parents are for your bravery to come forth with this much needed information. These priests abused Innocent children and possibly adults alike and abused their position of trusted priests to sexually assault children, our own babies were baptized by these a$$}{oles and some children potentially suffer lifelong mental and family issues from it. These priests abused their trusted position and knowingly disobeyed the word of God INSIDE our own Churches, within the walls of these Temples of God. These are labelled sanctuaries, a place to come together to embrace God and the leader role of these priests are clearly misused. Chatham Daily News recently posted an article stating you have claimed to have the “utmost regret” about posting this information, however, this information NEEDS to become more wide spread because it could potentially save many lives from being haunted forever or scarred. They also state you only posted those accused of assaulting on minors, under 18 years of age, However, ABUSE IS ABUSE and age makes no difference between abuse, the damage it causes is inevitably sad, I speak from experience. You should not feel regret for posting these bastards!! You have only spoken the further and God is as a witness, you’ve DONE the right thing by saving more potential abuse from happening, so please DON’T EVER BE SORRY!! The police post a list of “sex offenders”, that includes any ppl factually charged and CONVICTED of sexual abuse or assaults for the safety of the public, so priest or no priest, I believe it’s even more of a reason to become mandatory procedure to make the public fully aware that their child’s safety should always come first and to look into every aspect of who their children interact with – priests included! I wanna thank you so very much for your kindness, common sense and care for life. I bow to you .. God bless!!
Bonnie Morrison commented 2019-12-19 04:53:01 -0600
Wow! There’s so much I wish I could say about this! I’ll begin by saying how thankful all is good parents are for your bravery to come forth with this much needed information. These priests abused Innocent children and possibly adults alike and abused their position of trusted priests to sexually assault children, our own babies were baptized by these a$$}{oles and some children potentially suffer lifelong mental and family issues from it. These priests abused their trusted position and knowingly disobeyed the word of God INSIDE our own Churches, within the walls of these Temples of God. These are labelled sanctuaries, a place to come together to embrace God and the leader role of these priests are clearly misused. Chatham Daily News recently posted an article stating you have claimed to have the “utmost regret” about posting this information, however, this information NEEDS to become more wide spread because it could potentially save many lives from being haunted forever or scarred. They also state you only posted those accused of assaulting on minors, under 18 years of age, However, ABUSE IS ABUSE and age makes no difference between abuse, the damage it causes is inevitably sad, I speak from experience. You should not feel regret for posting these bastards!! You have only spoken the further and God is as a witness, you’ve DONE the right thing by saving more potential abuse from happening, so please DON’T EVER BE SORRY!! The police post a list of “sex offenders”, that includes any ppl factually charged and CONVICTED of sexual abuse or assaults for the safety of the public, so priest or no priest, I believe it’s even more of a reason to become mandatory procedure to make the public fully aware that their child’s safety should always come first and to look into every aspect of who their children interact with – priests included! I wanna thank you so very much for your kindness, common sense and care for life. I bow to you .. God bless!!
Anonymous followed this page 2019-12-08 18:41:37 -0600
Tom Ryan commented 2019-12-07 09:56:12 -0600
#24. Przybylski baptized my daughter. Those ‘2 boys’ were altar boys.
Ana Tirolese commented 2019-12-06 11:16:25 -0600
@geraldpickford, I agree with you. Many, if not most, of the priests, are decent human beings who are faithful and Godly. I, too, continue to attend mass. I have befriended some absolutely wonderful priests over the years. It is unfortunate that we only hear about the bad ones. It makes it sound like they are all bad. I have known many priests in my 57 years of life, and only one molested me as a child. Still, I will admit, I never permitted my children to be alone with priests, coaches, or teachers. Call my cynical.
Anonymous followed this page 2019-12-06 11:04:03 -0600
geraldpickford commented 2019-12-06 11:00:33 -0600
I am a catholic & proud to be one but I am not proud of how many priests did this terrible act against these young boys & girls. Very disgraceful & should be in jail. But remember I feel sorry for all the good priest & minsters that are good people & don’t agree with this horrible & disgraceful act done by these immoral priest. I still go to church & I don’t go for the priest but because it is Gods house on this earth. I was raised in a very strick catholic family & I am sure they would be very ashamed what has happened & the cover ups done by our church leaders & from the top leaders has been very disgraceful. Now is the time we have to speak out & make sure this never happens again in our lifetime your anyone else in there lifetime.
Bethany LaRoche commented 2019-12-06 08:47:34 -0600
A list with only 36 names really doesn’t do the systematic problem justice. Pretty much every single Catholic priest either abused children, covered for their peers, or turned a blind eye. Listing 36 abusers makes it seem like this is an isolated problem.
Ana Tirolese commented 2019-12-06 08:07:44 -0600
Someone else just said that the Holy Cross School crotch grabber (London, ON) was Fr. Berreton. So now I have two spellings for his name. Either way, I have yet to see his name on a preditor list. As far as I know, he only grabbed and fondled crotches. He never exposed himself to me, and he always did it over clothing with me. Perhaps his “sin” was not considered evil enough.
Ana Tirolese commented 2019-12-06 07:38:39 -0600
It occurred to me that I now have a resource to find this name that I did not have years ago: Facebook! I asked on Facebook what the priest’s name was that abused us at Holy Cross School in the early to mid-70s and found out his name was Fr. Brereton. I have no idea what his first name was or whether he is still alive (highly unlikely at this point). I do keep expecting to see his name on a predators’ list. I know it is silly, but I got a huge sense of relief knowing his name. I only wish I had had the confidence and know-how to have called him out when I was a youngster.
Ana Tirolese commented 2019-12-06 06:55:54 -0600
There was a priest at Holy Cross School, in London, ON that used to grab our crotches, both male and female. I keep expecting to see his name, but nothing as of yet. I didn’t speak English back then, or barely spoke it, so I cannot remember his name properly. This would have been in early 70s to mid 70s when I was there. His name was Fr. Brerton, Burton, Bertron, Bearton, Bruton, Burtrum, or something similar. I keep looking for his name and have not come forward because I would like to be able to know his name. It put me off confession, and to this day I am not comfortable being alone with a priest.
bruce tighe commented 2019-12-05 14:29:20 -0600
you forgot father bouchette. Military priest. back in the mid sixities he sexually abused the altar boys. Me being one of them.
Anne-Marie Higgins commented 2019-12-05 10:46:25 -0600
I always expect to see the names of any of the priests that were at the church/school where I attended from Kindergarten to grade 8.
It’s so prevalent, and I think I first started hearing about Priests who abuse children in the news, in the mid to late 80s. I don’t think it was ever reported about before then, at least I didn’t hear anything.
Times have changed. Thank God they have because these predators now know that they will be reported and charged (hopefully). If something like the sexual abuse of children is dealt with in “secrecy” then the person or persons who helped keep it secret (Bishops etc) should be charged with something.
It cannot be kept behind closed doors!

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