http://www.saskatoonrcdiocese.com/news_articles/newsarticle.cfm?NewsArticleID=192
Statement about abuse
July 9, 2011-
The diocese of Saskatoon has issued a statement about disclosure of sexual abuse by Fr. Hod Marshall, CSB, a priest who served at St Paul High School in Saskatoon from 1958 to 1961.
STATEMENT from the diocese of Saskatoon July 6, 2011:
In the spring of 2010, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon was advised that the Ontario Provincial Police were investigating allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct of Fr. Hodgson Marshall, a Basilian priest, while he was a teacher in a number of high schools in Ontario.
Marshall also taught at St. Paul’s High School in Saskatoon from August 1958 to August 1961.
As a result of the Ontario Provincial Police investigation, seventeen charges of sexual assault have been brought against Marshall. Now 89 years of age, he pleaded guilty in the courts in Ontario and was sentenced this past June to two years in prison and three years on probation.
The diocese of Saskatoon has recently learned that some former students of Fr. Marshall’s have disclosed that they were sexually assaulted or interfered with by Marshall while attending St. Paul’s High School.
The diocese had no record or knowledge, nor had any suspicion, that criminal and immoral conduct was occurring in the school nor did it suspect Marshall was engaged in hurtful and morally inappropriate acts.
The diocese expresses its profound sadness and regret that young students, now mature adults, were violated by Marshall and have carried this burden with them for many years.
The diocese invites any former student from St. Paul’s High School who was victimized by Fr. Marshall to contact the Catholic Pastoral Centre at 242-1500.
Inappropriate conduct of any kind is neither condoned nor tolerated by the Diocese; and in the situation where the young and very vulnerable are entrusted to those in a position of trust and authority, zero tolerance of any questionable conduct is the norm and standard applicable.
Since 1992, the diocese of Saskatoon has developed and implemented a policy to govern situations where there is or has been allegations of sexual abuse by clergy. That policy is available on the diocesan website at: www.saskatoonrcdiocese.com/privacy_and_policy/
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STATEMENT from The Congregation of St. Basil:
On June 7, 2011, Fr. Hod Marshall, a member of the Congregation of St. Basil (Basilian Fathers) pled guilty to the crime of molesting children. He is currently serving his sentence.
Fr. Marshall, who is 89 years old, was removed from public ministry in 1996 at the age of 74 as a result of credible allegations of sexual abuse dating back to the 1950’s. He was moved to a residence for retired and infirm priests in the Toronto area where he resided until his conviction and incarceration.
The Basilian Fathers wish to express our deep shame that one of our members has acted in this way. These criminal acts against children are a violation of our religious vows and are grievously sinful.
In the words of Pope John Paul II: “[…] the sexual abuse of young people is by every standard wrong and rightly considered a crime by society; it is also an appalling sin in the eyes of God” (Address to the Cardinals of the United States and Conference Officers, April 23, 2002).
The Basilian Fathers apologize unreservedly to any persons who have been harmed by Fr. Marshall, to their families and associates. This should never have happened.
We hope and pray that any who have suffered from sexual abuse can experience healing. As such we are committed to providing support for restorative therapy to any victims coming forward in such difficult circumstances.
The Basilian Fathers have had policies in place since 1991 to deal with allegations of sexual misconduct. Information on these policies is available through our congregational website: www.basilian.org.
In 2007, our religious community was certified as a child-safe organization by Praesidium Religious Services in the USA. We will continue to do all we can to ensure that children and other vulnerable persons are safe.
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A reminder that the current Bishop of Saskatoon concelbarted Mass with a convicted child molester in 2009, only months before he bacme Bishop of Saskatoon:
21 July 2009: Current bishop of Saskatoon, Sask. concelebrates Mass with convicted child molester in 2009
If any victims accept the invitation to go to the diocese please let us know here on the blog , or email me at: cornwall@theinquiry.ca
I still firmly believe that all those with allegations of sex abuse against any living priest should report to police first.
A question: Why no invitation to contact diocesan personnel until three Saskatoon men came forward alleging childhood sex abuse at the hands of Hod Marshall? Why, for example, when Hod was under investigation in Ontario last year, was there no such announcement in Saskatoon? from either the diocese or the Basilians?
For that matter, why no such annoucement after Hod said “Guilty” 17 times in Windsor, Ontario? Was there any less liklihood then that there just may be victims from Hod’s years at St. Paul High School in Saskatoon?
Why now?
Again, I urge those with allegations against Hod Marshall to go to police.
my other question, which has probably been addressed before, but if the Basilians were aware of ‘credible allegations of sexual abuse’ in 1996, why did it take till 2011 to try and convict? I am painfully aware of the inadequacies of our judicial system, but 15 years is far too long. Sadly, just another case of if we move him and maybe pay off some people then it will go away…NOT !!! just sad.