Chatham Daily News
12 August 2011
By Erica Bajer
Four Chatham-Kent men have launched civil lawsuits worth $8 million against the Roman Catholic Diocese of London.
The men allege that the late Father Bernard Alphones Robert molested them when they were altar boys at St. Francis Xavier parish in Tilbury.
Robert was parish priest there during the 1970s and 1980s.
David Turrill, of Tilbury, claims Robert molested him for five years staring when he was a 10-year-old alter boy at the Tilbury church.
Denis Robert, of Tilbury, also served as an altar boy at St. Francis Xavier parish. He claims the priest abused him for more than three years starting when he was 10 years old.
Both men said the abuse changed their whole lives and riddled them with shame and guilt.
The other two claimants don’t wish to be identified publically.
The London law firm Ledroit Beckett Litigation Lawyers is handling the case and looking for more alleged victims and/or witnesses.
Anyone with information is asked to call 1-866-674-4994.
Robert also served at St. Mary’s Parish in Blenheim from 1958-1969, at St. Matthew’s in Alvinston and Our Lady Help of Christians in Watford from 1969-1973, and Holy Family in Wallaceburg from 1989-1993.
The Diocese of London is aware of the allegations, which came forward after Robert’s death, said spokesman Mark Adkinson in a previous interview.
“Any victim should be free to report abuse that occurred by a priest or clergy,” he said in an interview late Wednesday.
“We will work through the process with these victims. We are committed to living up to our responsibilities and counselling will be offered to the victims.”
More to come.