Windsor Priests Facing Sex Allegations Removed from London Diocese

By Trevor Wilhelm
Windsor Star
January 3, 2019

https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/windsor-priests-facing-sexual-assault-allegations-removed-from-london-diocese

Bishop Ronald Fabbro has kicked two Windsor priests accused of inappropriate sexual behaviour out of the London diocese.

In a notice to parishioners a few days before Christmas, Fabbro wrote with “great sadness” about the dismissals of Maurice Charbonneau and Andrew Dwyer.

“Neither Maurice Charbonneau nor Andrew Dwyer may present themselves as clerics or, in any way, represent the Diocese of London,” Fabrro wrote. “Anyone who observes that either individual is acting in a manner that is inconsistent with this directive is asked to advise my office immediately.”

While the London diocese has ousted the priests from its ranks, officials said it would be up to the Vatican to remove them from the “clerical state of priesthood” through Canon law, sometimes referred to as defrocking.

Charbonneau served at several parishes in Windsor and Essex over the years.

Since 2014, he was at the parishes of St. John the Evangelist in Woodslee and St. Mary in Maidstone.

Charbonneau, who was ordained in April 1994, was removed from duty after allegations of “inappropriate sexual activity” were brought forward in October 2017.

The allegations against Charbonneau had not previously been made public.

The diocese revealed in September it had received “credible allegations” that Dwyer, who was the pastor of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Theresa’s parishes, had “engaged in sexually abusive behaviour many years ago.”

The diocese said in September the allegations against Dwyer, who was ordained in Sept. 1979, had only recently surfaced.

The church has not elaborated on the allegations against either man. It also has not revealed if a parishioner made the allegations, or how many potential victims could be involved.

Windsor police wouldn’t say Thursday if they have criminally charged the two men.

“The Windsor Police Service does not confirm or deny active investigations,” said Sgt. Steve Betteridge. “If we had any criminal charges that were in the public interest, we would release that information to the public.”

Fabbro said the diocese launched its own investigations as soon as the respective allegations were received.

He wrote that both priests were immediately relieved of their duties and their faculties were withdrawn when the diocese learned of the respective allegations.

The diocese previously said that under its A Safe Environment Policy, any priest, deacon or lay ecclesial minister facing “credible allegations” is removed from duty during the course of the investigation.

The same month the diocese learned of the allegations against Dwyer, Fabbro wrote “a letter to the faithful” touting the policy.

“It includes a number of sound procedures to prevent abuse from happening,” he wrote. “A priest who commits an offence against a minor or any other vulnerable person is removed from ministry. My goal is to protect people against abuse.”

The diocese has since made the removal of the two priests permanent.

“After separate investigations and consultations with various groups, including our diocesan Safe Environment Advisory Committee, I determined that Maurice Charbonneau and Andrew Dwyer would not be able to return to ministry at any time,” Fabbro wrote in his Dec. 21 notice. “Their faculties have been permanently removed. This was made known to them in person and by virtue of decrees which I issued to each of them, in accordance with the Code of Canon Law.”

The Diocese of London said it has a “zero tolerance” policy toward sexual abuse. Anyone with questions or concerns can call Sharon Wright-Evans, director of Safe Environment Services, at 519-433-0658 ext. 271, or Rev. John Comiskey, the Bishop’s Delegate for abuse cases, at 519-433-0658 ext. 275.

Contact: twilhelm@postmedia.com