Priest, Archdiocese Vancouver, British Columbia. Ordained 1968. 1994 convicted of indecent assault on a 21-year-old woman in 1980. In 1995 given a suspended sentence and placed on probation.
According to media, prior to conviction served in Vancouver at Holy Rosary Cathedral, St. John the Apostle’s parish, St. Anthony’s parish and St. Jude’s parish. He also served as chaplain at Shaughnessy, Grace and Children’s hospitals. While in Richmond BC Eason served at St. Paul’s parish, as chaplain at Vancouver International Airport and at St. Monica’s parish.
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Archbishops of Vancouver from time of Father John Eason’s ordination: Martin Michael Johnson † (11 March 1964 -08 January 1969 ); James Francis Carney (08 January 1969 – 16 September 1990 ); Adam Joseph Exner, O.M.I. (25 May 1991- 10 January 2004); Raymond Roussin, S. M. (10 January 2004 – 2 January 2009); John Michael Miller, C.S.B. (Coadjutor Archbishop: 1 Jun 2007 – Archbishop 02 Jan 2009 — )
Auxiliary Bishops: James Francis Carney (07 January 1966 – installation as Archbishop 1969); Lawrence Sabatini, C.S. (15 July 1978 – 30 September 1982)
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The following dates are drawn from Canadian Catholic Directories (CCCD) of that date and media (M)
2011: address for Holy Rosary Cathedral. “Apostleship of the Sea”, (Rector Father Glenn Dion)
2010: address for Holy Rosary Cathedral. “Apostleship of the Sea”, (Rector Father Glenn Dion)
2002, 2000: address for Holy Rosary Cathedral, “Apostleship of the Sea”, (Rector Father James Comey)
1999, 1998: address for Holy Rosary Cathedral, (Rector Father James Comey) (mission at St. Gerard, Bowen Island) (CCCD)
1997, 1996: address for Diocesan Centre, Archdiocese of Vancouver, BC. (CCCD)
1995: given a suspended sentence and placed on probation (M)
May 1994: charged (M)
1994, 1992, 1991: Pastor, St. Monica, Richmond, BC (CCCD)
1985-86: 1081 Burrand St., Vancouver, BC – address for St. Paul’s Hospital (CCCD)
1979 – 1982: Powell River, British Columbia (M)
1973-74: St. Paul’s RC Church, Richmond, B.C. (Pastor Father Neil Carrigan) (CCCD)
1971-72: St. Jude’s RC Church, Vancouver, B.C., (Pastor, Father. McInerney) (CCCD)
1968: ORDAINED
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Priest won’t be jailed for touching
Vancouver Province
31 August 1995
Clare Ogilvie
A priest who touched a woman’s breasts 15 years ago was given a suspended sentence yesterday and placed on probation.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice John Hall, who convicted Father John Eason last summer of indecent assault, described the priest’s behavior as “out of character.”
In sentencing Eason in Vancouver, Hall noted this was the only complaint ever made against the Roman Catholic priest. He also recognized Eason’s good works in 20 years with the church.
But Hall said Eason still had to pay a price for the 1980 assault because it was a breach of trust.
The incident occurred while Eason was counselling the then-21- year-old Powell River complainant.
The court heard that three days after the assault Eason went to the complainant’s home and apologized to her and to her mother.
He thought that was the end of it but two years ago the complainant went to police to ensure it never happened again and to ask that Eason go into counselling.
The 52-year-old priest has not performed any chaplain’s duties since the charges were laid.
The judge recommended he attend a counselling program while on probation.
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Richmond priest on indecent-assault rap
Vancouver Province
27 May 1994
Charlie Anderson
A Richmond Catholic priest and Children’s Hospital chaplain was charged yesterday with indecent assault of a Powell River woman in 1979-80.
Father John Eason, 52, who left Powell River in 1982, was most recently pastor of St. Monica’s in Richmond. He also was chaplain at Shaughnessy, Grace and Children’s hospitals and chaplain at Vancouver airport.
Archbishop of Vancouver Adam Exner said he was “distressed that one of our priests is facing a criminal charge.”
“We have a policy in this country that someone is innocent unless proven guilty and I would hope that applies in this case.”
Exner said the archdiocese learned of the alleged assault late last year. Eason ceased his parish ministry and chaplain’s duties at that time.
The woman was 21 at the time of the alleged assault.
Police say the charge relates to the law as it was in 1979. It distinguished between rape — forcible sexual intercourse — and indecent assault, which didn’t involve intercourse.
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Catholic priest accused of indecently assaulting woman 14 years ago
Vancouver Sun
27 May 1994
DOUGLAS TODD
Vancouver Roman Catholic Archbishop Adam Exner is distressed and praying for all concerned after one of the priests in his diocese was charged with indecently assaulting a woman.
Father John Eason, 52, who most recently served at St. Monica’s church in Richmond, was charged in connection with an alleged incident during the time he served as a priest in Powell River 14 years ago.
The complainant was 21 years old at the time.
“We’re very public about it being distressing for everyone. We pray for all who are involved,” the archbishop’s representative, Father Donald Larson, said Thursday.
“The archdiocese will cooperate respectfully with the civil authorities,” Exner said in a written statement.
Eason left Powell River in 1982. He has served in Vancouver at Holy Rosary Cathedral, St. John the Apostle’s parish, St. Anthony’s parish and St. Jude’s parish. He was also chaplain at Shaughnessy, Grace and Children’s hospitals.
In Richmond, Eason served at St. Paul’s parish, as chaplain at Vancouver International Airport and at St. Monica’s parish.
“The archdiocese had not received any information or complaint concerning {Eason} until late last year, during the course of the police investigation,” Exner said in his statement.
“As soon as we were informed of the investigation, Father Eason ceased his parish ministry and hospital chaplaincy.”
Eason is currently living in Vancouver awaiting legal developments.
Larson said Eason, who was raised in Greater Vancouver, has many friends within the church who are concerned about him.
Powell River RCMP Const. Sean Murphy said police are encouraging anyone else with complaints about Eason to come forward.
The last Vancouver-based priest charged with sex crimes was Father George Gordon.
In 1992, at age 77, Gordon was sentenced to six months in prison for indecently assaulting three males when they served as altar boys at Holy Rosary Cathedral in the 1950s.
The three men reported the molestation incidents to police after confronting Gordon in 1989. They became frustrated when then-archbishop James Carney did not do enough to seek out and assist Gordon’s other victims.
My sister and I went to St. Monica’s parish with my grandmother often (sometimes daily bc my grandma’s a die-hard). My sister was between 7-10 years old and I was between 5-8 years old. Father John was a good man, always kind to us. I was looking him up to see if he was still in Vancouver because I am making a trip up there and I haven’t seen him in years. I don’t disbelieve this incident, however, I would like to say that upon reading it, I was initially shocked, and surprised that anyone would say that of him. But still, the man is human. I’m sorry if my saying that offends anyone here. I just know how he was with my sister and I (and we did spend time alone with him), and it makes me want to defend him to the bitter end because he was so good to us. I believe that if this incident happened, I know that him going to the home of the mother and daughter to apologize must also be true, because that is the only thing I could see him doing. If he was ever capable of hurting someone, he would be there immediately afterward to apologize. There is so much good in him. I just hope no one makes a website to log every bad thing I’ve done in my life.
Carrie,
I encourage you to defend this priest based on your personal experiences with him as a child. There are cases, though not many, where a few sued the church or priest for money. Prehaps this case against this (good) priest also may be of that kind. All the best for your effort.
He was convicted by a B.C. Supreme Court Justice Tim.
Never forget: A thief doesn’t rob every house on the block. It is flawed logic to assume that because Eason never laid a wayward hand on Carrie and her sister he never laid a wayward hand on anyone.
I think Carrie that you will offend a lot of people with a statement like that.
Carrie,
I think I can understand what you are trying to say. Sounds like you and your family had a positive, affirming and overall beneficial relationship with the person in question whereas only recently have you discovered other allegations which shock your understanding and perhaps seem like barbs against your image and history of the individual. The question, I suppose is, whether it is possible to incorporate your personal experience while juxtaposed against these new revelations. This I believe is an entirely personal quandary which each person may struggle with but needs to be settled only for themselves. For example, a doctrine I find interesting and often employed, is the notion of hating the sin but loving the sinner. A concept often used to square the round peg for an individual to work past conflicts in relationships. Similarly but yet in a different context, I believe many individuals have gone through a similar conflict with their relationship not with any individual, but with the church itself. It is not an easy thing to attempt to square and for many the manner in which they choose to resolve this conflict has resulted in a wide variety of ways.
Finally, a mere comment, there is no right not to be offended …. though civil and polite society should encourage tasteful yet honest dialogue. My fear is that since internet blogs sadly seem targets for much too much intentionally provocative and poisonous speech, I only hope that that speech which conveys an opinion or thought contrary to one’s own, perhaps even unsettling, is not censored in cases where it is not warranted.
Jason, THE man for all seasons.
Father Eason is a good and kind man. One mistake in 42 years does not a snake make. I have made hundreds of mistakes in my life. I’m with Carrie…I hope no ones makes a web site about me because it soon would be full.
We do not know the circumstances of this case other than it was with an adult woman and a single claimed incident. If you only knew this man……this Priest…..this human being with so much compassion. He would forgive you for your sins….his one sin of touching an adult woman’s breasts ……………he has paid dearly for his mistake. Do not make him out to be some sort of deviant because he is NOT! He is not some sort of serial sex-offender. I trust Father Eason. He deserves that trust.
And Tim, I applaud you for your comment. There ARE those out there who jumped on this bandwagon for one reason and one reason only….money. I’m not saying this is one of those cases because I don’t know. What I do know is a wonderful person in John Eason.
In the same way we do not know the details of the situation between the victim and father john, nor do we know if this was motivated by money. To bring this concept up numerous times feels a bit too defensive – especially when a conviction was handed down by the BC Supreme Court. Blind faith seems to come to mind.