Ontario bishop to seek laicization of priest who abused young girls

Published: 2006-08-09

CHATHAM, Ontario (CNS) -- Bishop Ronald Fabbro of London, Ontario, pledged to seek the laicization of a priest convicted of 47 counts of indecent assault, as well as revise the diocese's policy on how to deal with clergy sexual abuse. The bishop made the promises at Mass Aug. 6, the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, in a homily to the congregation at St. Ursula Church, one of the parishes where Father Charles Sylvestre committed his crimes against young girls. Father Sylvestre, 83, pleaded guilty Aug. 3 to 47 charges involving girls ages 9-14. The assaults took place between 1954 and 1985 in parishes in Chatham, Windsor, Pain Court, Sarnia and London. Sentencing is still to come. Only the Vatican can return a priest to the lay state. "I sincerely apologize to the victims and their families for the abuse they endured at the hands of Father Sylvestre and for suffering the consequences of that abuse over the years," Bishop Fabbro told the congregation. "I apologize as well for the failure of the church to protect the victims and their families from Father Sylvestre."

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .