Hamilton: Father Paul Hamilton

Paul J. Hamilton

Priest, Archdiocese of Kingston, Ontario.  Ordained 1984. January 2012 lawsuit launched alleging sex abuse by Hamilton which commenced when the male plaintiff was 16 and continued for several years.  Close friend of Father Michael Reed. Reed is also named in the suit as someone who knew that Hamilton was sexually abusing the boy and failed to notify proper authorities.

May 2015:  Lawsuit settled out of court

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Archbishops of the Kingston Archdiocese from the time of Father Paul Hamilton’s ordination:  Francis John Spence (24 April 1982 – 27 April 2002 ); Anthony Giroux Meagher (27 April 2002 Appointed – 14 January 2007 ); Brendan Michael O’Brien (01 June 2007 – )

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09 June 2015:  Civil abuse case settled

17 January 2012:  BLOG The Bobbsey Twins

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The following information is drawn from Canadian Catholic Church Directories (CCCD) which I have on hand, media (M) and personal information (P)

sings and plays guitar (P)

has been Vice President, Board of Directors of the San Damiano Foundation since its founding  (see, for example,  San Damiano Foundation 2009)

2011, 2010:  address for St. Joseph’s Church, Kingston Ontario (Pastor Father J. Lynch)

word from within the diocese is that Hamilton was suddenly removed from Holy Rosary and sent off to Southdown.  The reasons for his removal were kept hush hush.  He has never been re-assigned to a parish.  Although the CCCD shows him at St. Joseph’s the word is that he has been living with a relative.  The word also is that Hamilton has been asking for several years to get back into ministry but has been turned down.  According to media reports he has not been serving as a parish priest for 7 years.

2002, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993:  Pastor, Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Belleville, Ontario (CCCD)

16 June 1992:  appointed Pastor, Queen of the Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Kingston, Ontario  (M)

February 1999: sang at the funeral Mass at Ottawa’s St. Patrick’s Basilica for Father Stephen Hill.  Father Hamilton sang from the old pulpit – I still remember the repetitive refrain “Out of the darkness and into the light.”  (Father Hill, a late vocation to the priesthoood and past president of the Canadian Canon Law Society, was a former teacher at St. Pius X High School.  He was a good friend of, and prior to ordination served as secretary to, Bishop John Beahen.)

some time prior to appointment to Holy Rosary served as chaplain at St. Joseph’s Provincial House, Kingston, Ontario (M)

1992, 1991, 1985: address for St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Kingston, Ontario (Pastor Father F.M. O’Connor)

16 August 1991:  Fathers Paul Hamilton and Michael Reed, along with two others,  provided music at a funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kingston (P)

1984:  ORDAINED

prior to ordination was an active member of the St. Augustine’s Charismatic Prayer group in Ottawa.  He and Paul Hamilton attended together and both regularly played guitar (P) In fact it was Paul Hamilton who conveyed a message from the diocese (Archbishop Plourde)  to the prayer group that teacher Mike Gibbins, a member of the group, was not to be given ‘pride of place’ if he showed up at any meetings.  Gibbins had been blowing the whistle after he was told by a student that he, the boy, had been molested by Father Dale Crampton.  Eventually Mike had a list of names of clergy who were molesters.  When Bishop Plourde failed to take action Gibbins printed fliers naming names and began to flier windshields..

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17 January 2012:  “Allegations against former Belleville Priest” and comments

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Allegations against former Belleville Priest

quintenews.com

A former Belleville Priest is being taken to Civil Court on claims involving sexual and physical abuse.

The Catholic Priest, who has been on administrative leave for a number of years has been accused of sexually abusing a former Belleville man, while at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Belleville a number of years ago.

The claim alleges Father Paul Hamilton sexually assaulted Joseph Hanoski for a number of years, starting when Hanoski was 16.

A second Priest, Father Michael Reed, has been accused of knowing of the relationship and not reporting it to the proper authorities.

The alleged incidents, outlined in the court documents, include taking Hanoski on trips out of country between 1997 and 2002, during which time Hamilton is accused of sexually assaulting Hanoski.

The Archdiocese of Kingston, the local Catholic jurisdiction, has also been named in the Statement of Claim, which says the Archdiocese failed to protest the victim in a situation where he was vulnerable.

Court files show the Archdiocese is denying any fault in the Civil Trial.

Court documents also show Hamilton and Reed deny all of the Hanoski allegations.

Meantime, Hamilton has not been serving as a Parish Priest in the Archdiocese for seven years, and recently it is believed Father Reed was placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese.

These claims have not yet been proven in court.

Joseph Hanoski who is now in his thirties, is seeking a total of $3,500,000 in financial compensation in the case.

Claims in the case include physical and sexual assault and battery, mental suffering and negligence.

It is not known when the case will be heard, but sources close to the case tell the newsroom it will be in front of a judge in March.

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Belleville parish gets a new church

Written by Paula Antonello Moore, Catholic Register Special

Friday, 29 June 2007 03:51

BELLEVILLE, Ont. – After waiting more than 50 years, parishioners at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary parish will finally have a new church building.

On June 15, nearly 100 parishioners and their families, together with pastor Fr. John Hibbard, special guest Fr. Brian J. Price, Kingston archdiocesan administrator, and several priests from the diocese gathered to hold the official sod-turning ceremony at the future site on North Park Street.

“This day has been a long time in coming. Fifty-four years to be exact,” Hibbard said.

The original church structure, built in 1953 on Donald Street, was meant to be a temporary location. It has served the parish’s 1,000 families as effectively as possible to date.  However, due to initial inferior construction, there is no insulation, extensive work is required on the roof, plumbing is dated and the heating and air conditioning systems are unreliable.

“I want to publicly acknowledge the efforts of the Franciscan Friars (who administered the parish for its first 40 years) over the years, who, while they never succeeded in building a new and permanent church, nevertheless established a firm and vibrant foundation to this parish community. Without that spiritual base, a parish church building could not be constructed,” he said.

The new $4.1-million updated structure will boast seating for 400, meeting rooms, office areas, a large reception hall and a small chapel beside the main worship area.

The sod-turning ceremony began with Mass at 4:30 p.m. Then, armed with shovels, the group assembled to break ground following the singing of the national anthem.

Hibbard expressed sincere gratitude to all those who helped push the dream forward.

“I also want to acknowledge the efforts of (former pastor) Fr. Paul Hamilton who revived the idea and dream of a new parish church” 12 years ago, Hibbard said. Hamilton laid the groundwork for the new building.

Hibbard drew special attention to the generous donation of parishioner Jim Lorimer who endowed a substantial amount of money to the building fund upon his death. He concluded by expressing his profound thanks to the parishioners.

“Most of all, I would like to thank and acknowledge the efforts of the parishioners of Holy Rosary parish. Whatever we may say about the efforts of a pastor, it is really the support and work of the parishioners that makes any project a success. I thank you for your faithful support,” he said.

Price, pastor of St. Francis Xavier parish in Brockville, who was appointed temporary archdiocesan administrator earlier this year after the passing of Archbishop Anthony Meagher, presided over the event and performed a special blessing of the site.

The next phase for the new church will be to approve contractors in mid-July with construction beginning in August and expected to take a year to complete.

(Moore is a freelance writer in Belleville, Ont.)

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Nick Reed: ‘Drawing for the angels’

Kingston Whig Standard

30 December 2003

A train whistle pierced the silence yesterday afternoon as the coffin of Nick Reed was brought into St. Paul the Apostle Church.

The sound was a harsh reminder of a life cut tragically short.

The 15-year-old Holy Cross high school student was killed last Tuesday night when he was struck by a train while walking on tracks near Rankin Crescent in the city’s west end.

Tales of friendships and family closeness filled the funeral service, each denoting the tight relationships Nick shared with those who knew him best.

One such tale was recounted in the eulogy given by Father Paul Hamilton, when he spoke of the last moments Nick shared with his father, Harvey.

The night before the accident, Mr. Reed was resting on the couch while Nick was brushing his teeth.

Nick came over to his father, kissed him, and was kissed in return.

The father told Nick he loved him; Nick did the same. That was the last time Mr. Reed saw his son alive.

A procession of fellow students from Holy Cross followed the casket, draped in the church’s white pall, inside.

Students filled seven rows of the crowded church.

They were all sharply dressed in school uniforms, the boys wearing grey pants, white shirts and ties, while the girls sported black, green and grey-checkered skirts and white blouses.

Parents Harvey and Angie Reed and younger brother Jordan each clutched a white rose tightly as they embraced one another.

Jordan spent much of the ceremony limply buried in his mother’s arms, who herself leaned on her husband’s shoulder for support.

Father Michael Reed, Nick’s uncle and a Roman Catholic priest, reflected on the loss of one so young.

“We seek to understand your purpose,” he said, prompting sniffles from the crowd and loud sobs from Nick’s mother, which filled the silent pauses of each hymn.

The long faces and bowed heads of the mourners were surrounded by stunned looks, hinting at the suddenness and shock of Nick’s untimely death.

Hamilton spoke of the pain the family has endured and the outpouring of community support that has helped them over the past week.

“We cannot touch your sorrow, but are with you,” he said.

Hamilton related Mr. Reed’s determination to find a silver lining.

“He told me, ‘I have to find something positive. I believe everything happens for a reason. Maybe Nick’s death will help someone.’ ”

Nick was lauded many times for his artistic ability. Friends and teachers said he could draw anything he wanted. “His art was just amazing,” remembered Denise Adamson, an art classmate. “When he did a project, it was awesome.”

Adamson lamented that many students never had the chance to really get to know Nick because of his quiet demeanour.

But those who did know the blond-haired, youthful-looking 15- year-old, said Hamilton, had nothing but positive messages.

“You’ve heard so many stories of the blessing Nick has been in many people’s lives,” he told the crowded church.

“Nick has known love, friendship, encouragement, faithfulness and joy,” through his close relationship with his family, he said.

“And yes,” he added, “even with friendships and donuts shared at Tim Hortons.”

The condolence messages that flooded a Web site created by Jordan reflected Nick’s many friendships. There were tributes from family friends, fellow employees from Loblaws, and close friends.

“Nick will be drawing for the angels,” wrote the Flood family, who knew Nick through work.

Hamilton said Nick’s life, and his enduring love for his family and friends, will leave a lasting legacy that will comfort those who now mourn him.

“Love is stronger than death.”

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Belleville: New church anticipated

Kingston Whig-Standard

19 December 1998

Parishioners at Holy Rosary Church in Belleville have a special reason to look forward to 2000. By the time the millennium rolls around, they should be either in their new church or well on the way, says Rev. Paul Hamilton. He and several dozen members of the congregation recently gathered to bless the 1.5-hectare site of their new facility. When completed, the new church will comfortably hold 650, double the capacity of their current church. The site was formerly owned by the Moira River Conservation Authority and had been leased by the city of Belleville as parkland, but came up for sale. Hamilton said the location is “ideal for our parish, as we’ll have three schools within our district: Holy Rosary, Georges Vanier and the new St. Theresa’s secondary school.” The church, formed in Belleville in 1952, has about 2,500 members. Plans for the new 900- square-metre facility include a parish hall, rectory, meeting rooms and a vaulted church.

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PERSONNEL CHANGES IN CATHOLIC DIOCESE

The Kingston Whig-Standard

26 June 1992

Robert Nicol

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kingston, the Most Rev. Francis J. Spence, has made a number of diocesan personnel appointments, all of which came into effect on June 16.

Rev. William J. Powell, a native of Smith’s Falls, has been made the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Cardinal, replacing Rev. Michael Reed. Fr. Powell, who has served as the associate pastor of Holy Family Parish and St. Joseph’s Parish, was ordained in 1957.

Fr. Reed will serve as the new pastor of St. Barnaby Parish in Brewer’s Mill, replacing Rev. Joseph Ainslie. Fr. Reed grew up in Belleville and obtaineed a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Diploma in Pastoral Studies from St. Paul University and Seminary in Ottawa.

Fr. Reed will also serve as chaplain during the week at St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital.

Fr. Ainslie was ordained in 1942 and served as pastor of St. Barnaby’s Parish from 1983. He is a former pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish and retires in this his fiftieth year of priestly service.

Rev. Paul Hamilton, who has served in the past as chaplain at St. Joseph’s Provincial House, has been appointed pastor of Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish in Belleville.

Fr. Hamilton, who was ordained in 1984 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, has graduated with a master’s degree and licence in Canon Law after two years of study in Ottawa. In 1989, he was appointed as chancellor, episcopal vicar and judicial vicar for the diocese and associate judicial vicar for the Kingston Office of the Catholic Marriage Tribunal.

He will continue as associate judicial vicar and diocesan judicial vicar.

Rev. Richard Racine, a native of Cornwall and a graduate of St. Paul’s University and Seminary in Ottawa, is the new pastor of Holy Name Parish in Kingston Mills, replacing Rev. James McGarvey.

While serving as chaplain in the Frontenac-Lennox and Addington County Roman Catholic Separate School Board, Fr. Racine will work to evolve a house of discernment for young men who might be interested in the priesthood.

Fr. McGarvey was ordained in 1952 and has served throughout the Kingston area, including pastoral assignments at St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. James’ Parish in Stirling.

In 1983, Fr. McGarvey was named pastor of Holy Name Parish, from where he now retires after forty years of priestly service.

Rev. Robin Gwyn, a native of Montreal, was ordained at St. Mary’s Cathedral in 1988 following an internship there. Afterwards he was assigned to St. Francis Xavier Parish in Brockville, where he served as associate pastor and administrator.

In 1991, Fr. Gwyn was appointed chaplain of Regiopolis-Notre Dame High School. He will continue in that position, but will also serve as pastor of St. Francois d’Assise Parish, Kingston’s francophone parish.

As well, Rev. Charles Gazeley and Rev. Joseph Lynch have been appointed associate chancellor and chancellor, respectively.

Fr. Gazeley studied at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto and was ordained in 1958. He has served most recently as Catholic chaplain at Kingston General Hospital and Kingston Psychiatric Hospital, and has given chaplaincy service to the Sisters of Providence at Providence Motherhouse in Heathfield. He will now serve as associate chancellor.

Fr. Lynch attended Queen’s University and taught at Regiopolis- Notre Dame for 19 years before entering St. Augustine’s Seminary. He began his priestly assignments at St. Mary’s and will remain there in addition to serving as Chancellor of the diocese and episcopal vicar for chancery matters pertaining to marriage.