Kenneth Keeler (Father Ken Keeler)
Priest, Archdiocse of Ottawa, Ontario. Ordained 1971. GUILTY plea 1993 to charges of sex abuse of young boys
Founder of St. Brigid’s Summer Camp for needy children (Low, Quebec)
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The Orator, January – February 1993: “Deny. Deny. Deny” and May – August 1993: “A Travesty of Justice”
18 October 2010: Like everyone else 30 years ago, the Church failed to understand paedophilia
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Church in ‘denial’
Ottawa Sun
Sunday, 23 November 1997
Jacki Leroux, Ottawa Sun
[This article ran as an insert in conjunction with" Sins of the Fathers”]
Victims of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic church are far from surprised at how little monitoring the church does of past offenders.
“There’s still major denial.” Says Chris Fuoco, one of five victims of Father Ken Keeler, who was convicted of indecently assaulting five teen boys in 1993 in Ottawa.
“They figure if they forget about it, it will all just go away. They’re definitely not protecting the innocent,” he says.
At Keeler’s trial, court heard how Fuoco – today 28 years old and living in Vancouver – only went to police after Keeler’s bishop dismissed his allegations and accused Fuoco and a friend of lying.
And even after Keeler was convicted, no one from the church ever apologized to Fuoco – something he and other victims are still angry about today.
“They’re self-righteous. They never came out and said ‘It was wrong and we’re sorry,” he says.
“In all professions there’s a code of ethics. There doesn’t seem to be in the church.
“If I’m a teacher and I’m convicted of something like that, my career is over. My employer has to hold me accountable,” he says.
Although relieved to hear Keeler is currently living in a Halifax convent with elderly nuns – not serving in a parish or working with kids – Fuoca still thinks someone should be keeping an eye on him.
“I’m not for banishing them to the dregs of society, but how (is the church) ensuring they’re not abusing someone? They’re not.”
His friend Dale Pegg, says he was also abused at Keeler’s church run summer camp by the camp cook. The man was a friend of the priest who attended St. Pius’ preparatory seminary with Keeler in the 1960s.
The charges against the man ended up being dropped due to lack of evidence.
“I’m not for making people go about wearing sandwich boards saying ‘I’m a pedophile,’ but the church, because they’re shown a lack of responsibility in the past, should take responsibility for their priests,: says Pegg.
“They have a responsibility to make sure those who have offended in the past are kept away from situations where they’re inclined to re-offend,” he says.
Sylvia Smith also believes the church is only out to protect its priests, not its parishioners.
“That’s what they do – they move them around,” says Smith, mother of one of the victims of Father Dale Crampton, convicted in 1987 of indecently assaulting teenage altar boys at a Nepean parish in the late ‘70s and early 80s.
“Even with Crampton, we know that when one family complained to the bishop, he was moved to 9another) church. And when they found out what had happened at the church he was moved 9to another one).
“Obviously, nothing’s changed. It’s still going on,” she says.
Smith found ti frightening that Crampton was working in the marriage tribunal in the London, Ont., diocese, and finds it even more so that he’s now back in Ottawa.
“He worked on the marriage tribunal with troubled families, giving troubled children support,” she says.
“It concerns me because I don’t believe pedophiles can be cured.
“I think the community has a right to know where they are,” she says.
So, too, does Eddy Graveline, molested by one of the most brutal Christian Brothers, Leo Monette, at St. Joseph’s Training School for Boys in Alfred, Ontario.
“They shouldn’t even be on the streets.” He says.
“They’re child molesters. They’ve been doing that all their life. They’re not going to suddenly stop just because they go to court and get a slap on the wrist.
“I know what they do and how the church hides it. They’re just as guilty (as the abusers) for not checking on them.” He says.
Sylvia, I am so thankful for your site. To allow all a forum, outlet and space to express their feelings on such sad happenings is so needed. As a past victim (Ken Keeler and the church as a whole)I have been helped by so many from society and from your site. Now, a father of two, I hope we can call the church their home I look to Sylvia’s site for information and strength. May all those struggleing to come forward know that true life begins with admitting the truth from your past. Please know that you are not alone in the year 2011 and beyond – support awaits. It hase been soooo many years since I have suffered through the abuse. YES it still hurts sometimes, but life is great and it will be for you. I wish the Catholic Church would deal with things directly – they don’t and likely won’t for a real long time! Please don’t trust them, don’t believe little advances are going to make big changes – but do have faith, for God is what is right and not the church. If it is the one true church then perhaps it is led by many weak men. It is the flock that must be strong for the shepards are misdirected and in need of the Holy Spirit. Hopefully our saviour will once again take over the reins of our church so our children will be safe from the “Sins of the Fathers”. MR Keeler, Mr. Gervais and others, – I still have not received an appology for your sins, and attacking of my faith. My fellow St. Brigid’s and St. Puis X, St John the Apostle so called friends – you were not there to support but were there to attack us as we told the truth (wow – if you only knew it all). I am not a judge, but are you sure you are prepared for judgement day? Oh, and by the way as my parents are sick and dying and you pushed them away from the church, thanks for not only attacking me, my faith, their child but their faith, but for leaving them lost as they are unsure of the route to the kingdom of heaven.
May all the victems of abuse at the hands of priests rise up and be acknoledged. May the priests stop, ask to be saved and may the world be a better place in 2011 and beyond because we have God in our lives and honesty in our lives.
Thank you Sylvia, Chris, not a victem but a true believer in what is right!
Chris Fuoco,Re:post #1
What an awesome post you wrote Chris. All valid statements you made.
Justice and peace for all.
Lina
Chris,
An excellent and thoughtful post…
I’ve known you and your parents from the days before we were victims, during the victimization, through the criminal case, then through the denial of the archdiocese and the congregation, through the years of our suffering and the multiplied suffering of our parents (the guilt and ignorance they felt)and their constant search for a new holy gathering. I know they are both struggling in their route to Heaven during these final few years(on earth)but trust me and more importantly trust in the God that Keeler and “the boys” lied to and shamed; as their is no doubt in my mind and soul that if there is a fast track to the most beautiful part of Heaven that your parents will be on it…and I know you know that!
Peace and Love in 2011 my brother!
Tony
Once again, Justice Totally Failed. I wonder why F Ken Keeler has not been dealt with by the full force of the law years ago. I also wonder why the Law has not ordered an search warrant on the Catholic Diocese Offices with full force of the Law that is suppose to protect children and innocent people of Canada. How can they just ignore this repeat of Sexual Assault and abuse of children. The Catholic Diocese should be totally audited financially. Find the payout evidences of there crimes and without prejudiced. Have a Court Order to carefully investigate all documents of the Catholic Diocese. The time is NOW, to protect all children and innocent people and use the full force of the Law to do so.
I know F Ken Keeler when he was at St Bridget’s Church and summer Camp.
Yes he was inappropriately sexually assaulting children then and the Catholic Diocese moved him to another church in Ottawa where he repeated his crime. The Catholic Diocese Knows the Truth.
Your Truly
One of the many children concerned & (Altar Boy)
The blind law Sickens me…
I went to St. Brigid’s Separate Catholic School on Springfield Rd. from 1973-1979. I also as well attended the Summer Camp in Low, Quebec in 1976 & 1977. Keeler put his arms around me momentarily while I was sitting on the beach alone while watching others swim. I didn’t think much about it then, but wonder to this day if he had me in mind as a victim.
However, sadly…others weren’t so fortunate. I even knew one of boys who was a victim. His first name is Robert. He was a single parent child with only his Mother and his one brother. I suspect that Keeler targeted young boys of single parents with the Mother being the only parent, but I don’t know of all the cases. It’s only a guess.
Yes, it’s sick that Joe blow RATzinger had the nerve to say to sexually abused children that, “They we’re imagining things.” What one sorry son of a bitch he is! Also him slapping a News Reporter in the face when questioning him! I would of charged him with assault!
ROME IS A CRIMINAL OUTFIT-THE VATICAN IS ORGANIZATION WHICH MAJORS IN EVERY FORM OF CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY, AND IS DUE FOR IT’S JUDGMENT AND ALL THOSE WHO STILL SHEEPISHLY ADHERE TO THIS SICK AND FALSE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL INSTITUTION OF CORRUPTION AND A WORTHLESS HEAP PILE OF SHIT!
http://www.hiddenfromhistory.org/
http://www.hiddenfromhistory.org/RecentUpdatesampArticles/Apr52011HelpBringthePopetoTrial/tabid/150/Default.aspx
http://www.popeaccountability.org/do-you-approve-/index.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qvgdS0s56Q
I was a camper at St. Brigid’s while Tony and Chris were counselors. In fact, Tony was my counselor.
I feel horrible about it all. I guess i don’t have too much more to say. Just this: All five victims and Fr. Keeler are in my prayers. What a shame it all is. I am really sorry. God bless you.
Derek
You said so much Derek. It will mean a lot to Tony Chris.
Me and my friends worked at St Brigids, and some of them attended St Martin’s in Bells Corners where Keeler worked in the 70s. The dirty-half-dozen they called us, me and my friends hired on for the summer to cut grass, do odd jobs, peel potatoes and satisfy the twisted lust of these men. I was not personally assaulted by this man, but a number of my friends were. And he was not alone, he and his colleagues in abuse would drink in the cabin down by the beach at St Brigids and after a while one of them would come up the walk to the dorm room we’d sleep in. One of us would be accused of making too much noise, or having transgressed during the day, and be told we’d be spending the night in Keeler’s cabin…ostensibly to separate the troublemaker from the good boys. We suspected what was going on. But we didn’t say it out loud. My suspicions were only confirmed when the story broke some twenty years later.
I don’t know what became of my old friends. I don’t know if they ever got justice, closure or compensation. And I wonder whether Keeler ever felt the slightest, genuine remorse for the torture he inflicted. Or whether he just asked for and was granted absolution by his fellow rapists.
I hope to see him one day, and ask him whether he remembers Pete and Joel and Pat. And what he remembers most about them. The glorious ferocity of their youth? The unquenchable energy they brought to simply living? The radiance of possibility in their eyes? Or does he remember what only he could have witnessed, close and very private, the fury of a fourteen year old forced to submit to the wanton, passing lust of a man to whom they had been entrusted…to whom, they were told, their immortal souls depended.
I know why he didn’t rape me. I wasn’t Catholic, and he knew he had no power over me.
Keelor was also a sadist. I attended St Brigid’s camp in ’72 and ’73 both as a camp member and a ‘counsellor in training’ It was in the summer of ’72 that Keelor set up a boxing ring and got kids to box each other as he watched along. He chose who would box and put me (a skinny, weak kid with asthma) against the toughest kid at camp. I remember getting the crap beaten out of me, and Keelor watching along. I had a nasty headache on the side of my head and the camp nurse arranged for me to rest in the cabin side room instead of our team campers tent. His friend Pat kept coming to me saying, if you want to go home to recover they would arrange for me to go home immediately…. but going home was usually out of the question… so I thought that odd. I was trying to be strong and say, no I don’t need to go home… I remember (as a naive 13 year old) hearing strange noises at night in the cabin which I joked about the next day, and their desire for me to go home became even stronger. I eventually went home two days later cause the side of my head was sore, my ears ached and were sore to touch. My parents took me to our family doctor in Ottawa who was rather disgusted that I was forced to box and sustained these injuries.
Now, years later I understand exactly what was going on i.e. the noises (groaning etc).
As for the boxing, I always thought maybe Keelor did that because there was a lesson for me to learn – maybe to stand up for myself or something, but I could never figure out what the lesson was supposed to have been. Years later, I sought mental health help and described the incident, as Keelor was now in the news for the charges, and the counsellor said ‘not only was he a pedophile, he was a sadist’.
Back when I started at St Brigid’s, since I had been bullied at another school, St Brigid’s arranged for me to spend an afternoon with Father Keelor to get me talking and working through stuff, but I clammed up with him…. I thought often that I should have opened up, but consider myself really lucky that I didn’t.
Anyways, in addition to the sexual abuse, there was clearly an element of sadism, and it wasn’t the warm friendly place that the camp is made out to be, and Keelor definitely was an alcoholic. I certainly do not have good memories of being there. If you weren’t good at sports, it wasn’t a fun place to be. I wonder if other people out there who experienced forms of emotional abuse.
When I heard about the sexual abuse charges against Keelor and Pat I really felt for the guys who went through a much tougher time than I did. I hope they find healing.
I must say that there were some great teachers and administrators at St. Brigids school – and I will always be grateful for the environment in the school that gave me a respite from bullying at another school, and the acceptance and encouragement I received from the teachers and fellow students. Sad to see the school’s reputation dragged down in any way as a result of the camp issues.
Thanks for the opportunity to post this. I’ve never really had the chance to state all of this in a public way.