Fr. Peter Charland

Ordained: 1972
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Rockville Centre NY

In 2/18 it was announced that eight people had filed claims with the diocese’s IRCP, alleging sex abuse as children by Charland in the early 1970s. The eight were members of St. Phillip and James parish’s “PJ Folk Singers”. One man said the abuse started when he was age 11, and that it occurred in the rectory, Charland’s car, and on a choir trip to Romania. Some families reportedly complained to the diocese about Charland’s behavior in the mid-1970s. Appears to have left ministry by 1976. Went on to marry a woman with three sons and to work as a psychotherapist with children. Died in 2004. Accused in a suit filed in 8/19 of abuse 1972-76 of a boy, ages 13-18, who attended St. Phlliip and James. On diocese’s list of accused in 3/21.


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