Leonard Joseph Kelly
priest, diocese of Harbour-Grace, Newfoundland (now Diocese of Grand Falls). Ordained 05 June 1955 by Bishop O’Neill. 1988 GUILTY to sex assault of two boys aged 9 and 12. Suspended sentence and two years probation. Sentence overturned by Court of Appeal. Kelly ordered to spend four months in jail
2011: living in a senior citizen’s home in Windsor, Newfoundland
2010: 6 Exploits Ave., Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
2002, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1992: address for Diocesans Centre, Grand Falls, Newfoundland
January 1988: Newfoundland Court of Appeal orders four month sentence
June 1987 – GUILTY plea – suspenced sentence. Appealed
1984-87: St. Joseph’s RC Church, Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland
1985-86: St. Joseph RC Church, Windsor, Newfoundland (Bishop Faber MacDonald: 1980-1998)
1971-77: All Hallows RC Church in North River, with missions in Bay Roberts and Butlerville (HGGF)
1971-72, 1973-74: not listed in directory (Bishop Penny 1972-79)
1958-70: pastor, Baie-Verte, Newfoundland with missions in Coachman’s Cove and Fleur de Lys. (HGGF)
1968-69: pastor, Baie-Verte, Newfoundland with missions in Coachman’s Cove and Fleur de Lys. (Bishop J.M. O’Neill: 1940-72) (CCCD)
1967: pastor, Baie-Verte, Newfoundland with missions Coachman’s Cove and Fleur de Lys. (Bishop J.M. O’Neill) (CCCD)
1955-58: Sacred Heart, Little Bay (HGGF)
________________________________
Canadian Press
January 6, 1988
ST. JOHN’S, Nfld. (CP)
The Newfoundland Court of Appeal has ordered a jail sentence for a Roman Catholic priest on two charges of sexual assault.
Rev. Leonard Joseph Kelly, 57, of Windsor, Nfld., originally received a suspended sentence and two years’ probation after he pleaded guilty last June. He was convicted of sexually assaulting two boys, aged nine and 12, over a two-year period.
Crown prosecutors appealed the sentence, and on Wednesday, the Appeal Court ordered Kelly to spend four months in jail.
The Crown, arguing that a suspended sentence failed to send a message of deterrence, had sought
I’m 54 years old now and last year I decided to search for my birth mother. Sadly she passed on in 2005 and was survived by my 2 half brothers and her brother, my birth uncle, Father Kelly. As my search unfolded a slew of cousins and brothers on fathers side, the horrors of father Kelly came with them. He had also damaged some of rhe family members as well. He was also responsible for forcing my mother to give me up for adoption as she was unwed. My only contact with him was by phone and he told me I was not to contact any family members and that I brought back bad memories. According to the 20 family members I talked to the bad memories are his, their all happy and awaiting my trip out there. Im glad my wife found your website, your facts all seem to be correct and his prey was more than he was charged with from stories I have. There is alot of bitterness towards Father Kelly and there are none that have anything to do with him since my mom passed on in Boston. After he was charged from what I am told he couldn’t perform acts like marriage or funerals priest stuff unless he had special permission from the higher up. As much as I have mixed feelings knowing my mom never wanted to give me up, and have heard the stories from her friends that she tried to find me after, My life with my adopted parents was great and I was well loved and cared for, The ones I have heard were Father Kelly’s prey were not so fortunate and it carried a life scar. I am relieved to know that because of his actions he will leave this earth a lonely man.
Thank you Pete for sharing what you discovered in your quest to find for you birth mother. Father Kelly now becomes a skeleton in your closet, but, we all have them, do we not?
Your comments are a reminder to us all that many if not all families of clerical molesters have their own crosses to bear.
It is good to know that you were loved and well-cared for by your adoptive parents, loved and wanted by your birth mother, and exciting to know that you will soon be meeting with members of your newly found family and extended family. God speed you on your journey.
Pete you have nothing to be ashamed off.. Your family loves you both adoptive and biological. You are yet another survivor of a criminals meandering into the lives of the innocent. He used his position of authority to brow beat your mother into letting you go. You are no less a victim of his abuse, he took a moral position the he had no right to take and bullied your mother. I don’t think Christ would have used guilt in counselling your mother as he was equally loving to kings and paupers. I believe that your higher power placed you tenderly and lovingly into the hands of your loving adoptive family because you brought such joy to their lives. Kelly hopefully will be constrained from ever hurting others by act or influence. Stand proud open the door and leave him and his little piece of effect on your life in that closet..We shine the light of truth and stand loved and cared for by a presence greater than ourselves this is what sets us free.. Blessings brother.
I was molested by this man when he was in North river. I now years later am only begining to come to terms to what this mosnter did.
He will never be tried for his crimes against me and the other altar servers in All hallows on this earth.
The scares are are still visable.
Father Kelly, lol there was rumors floating around in deer lake nfld that he was shagging one of the catholic school teachers over in the cabin at old bombay pond. Man ,that catholic organization is nothing but a bunch of foolishness. Pffffff… power ,wich there looseing big time and total corruption …. I hope it crumbles to the ground… I got no faith or respect for that religion anymore they messed up to many lives…