Diocese suspends Windsor priest
The Roman Catholic Diocese of London has removed a Windsor priest from his churches after receiving “credible allegations” of inappropriate conduct.
The allegations against Rev. Andy Dwyer, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Theresa’s parishes, “relate to actions of many years ago,” according to the diocese. “There is no good time for such an announcement,” the diocese said in an emailed statement. “It is particularly hard to hear and deal with this news in light of the recent revelations in the United States. Even so, we remain vigilant and faithful during this trying time in order to ensure a safe environment in our parishes and institutions.” Diocese spokesman Nelson Couto said he could not comment on the nature of the allegations. But “the recent revelations” in the U.S. mentioned by the diocese relates to sexual abuse. Couto confirmed the statement was in reference to a massive child sex-abuse scandal in Pennsylvania.
The diocese also didn’t reveal if a parishioner made the allegations or how many potential victims, if any, could be involved.
A grand jury report last month revealed that Roman Catholic leaders in Pennsylvania covered up sexual abuse against children going as far back as the 1940s. The report identified 301 priests who abused more than 1,000 victims.
Windsor police wouldn’t reveal if they have launched a criminal investigation into the allegations against Dwyer.
“On a general case basis, we don’t comment on whether we are investigating or whether we are not investigating — to protect the privacy of everybody involved, from the complainants, victims, accused people — unless there’s a public safety issue,” said Const. Andrew Drouillard.
The Diocese of London said it is investigating the allegations against Dwyer.
While the “actions” in question go back many years, the diocese said the allegations only surfaced recently.
The diocese 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. “This is our policy and this is clearly how the Diocese of London handles these matters now,” church officials wrote in the statement. Earlier this month, Bishop Ronald 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.”
Fabbro’s letter also made direct reference to the Pennsylvania scandal in his letter.
“It is devastating to read the accounts of profound evil that occurred in our Church,” Fabbro wrote.
“Since I have been bishop, I have met with survivors of clergy sexual abuse and their families. It was heart-wrenching to listen to their stories of the pain and the sufferings they have endured throughout their entire lives — sometimes for 30, 40 or 50 years after the abuse occurred.”
He noted that the grand jury report details the “failures” of bishops who moved priests around to cover up the abuse.
“The cover up was terribly wrong,” he wrote. “Catholics are rightly outraged that the bishops failed to put a stop to the abuse. How could they have failed so grievously in their calling to be shepherds of their people and in their responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us?” Fabbro didn’t mention the history of similar cover-ups in the London diocese, but he did acknowledge it has dealt with abuse cases of its own.
“The clergy abuse crisis has brought to light the brokenness in our Church,” Fabbro wrote. “For these wounds to heal, we must first acknowledge our brokenness before the Lord. We must do penance in reparation for the grave sins committed. And, we — bishops, priests and lay people — must be courageous in carrying out the reforms needed in our Church.”
We — bishops, priests and lay people — must be courageous in carrying out the reforms needed in our Church.