Former Catholic Priest Gabriele Delbianco Facing Sexual Assault-related Charges

By Neil Bowen
Sarnia Observer
December 19, 2013

http://www.theobserver.ca/2013/12/19/former-catholic-priest-gabriele-delbianco-facing-sexual-assault-related-charges

The verdict in the sexual abuse trial of former priest Gabriele DelBianco is set for Feb. 24.

Crown and defence lawyer submissions to Justice Joseph Donahue wrapped up Thursday

The key issues are possible consent to sexual activity and the reliability of the evidence.

DelBianco pleaded not guilty to 16 offences involving four teenage girls during the 1980s.

The trial started Oct. 16 and testimony from four women, now in their 40s, ended in October. DelBianco chose not to testify.

The number of charges was increased to 18 to match with testimony from the four women regarding the offence dates. No further allegations are contained in the new charges.

One woman described that as a teenager she felt the outgoing and popular priest was like a rock star. DelBianco left the priesthood in 1996 after serving at churches in Wallaceburg and Windsor.

Contact: neil.bowen@sunmedia.ca