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George Ansel Smith
Father George Smith
priest Diocese of St. George’s, Newfoundland - the Diocese is now the Diocese of Corner Brook, Labrador. Ordained 1969. Charged 14 December 2011 – 38 charges from nine complainants with allegations spanning the years 1969 and 1989 and transpiring in Port Saunders, Corner Brook, Stephenville, St. Fintan’s, Cape St. George and Deer Lake, Newfoundland. (Deer Lake Newfoundland RCMP began to investigate in May 2010).
Charges: 13 counts of gross indecency, 11 counts of indecent assault on a male, seven counts of sexual assault, four counts of unlawfully committing a gross indecency and three counts of unlawfully assaulting with intent to commit an indictable offence.
23 February 2012: 24 new charges added – Smith is now facing 62 charges. The allegations date from 1969 to 1989 in six communities, including Port Saunders, Corner Brook, Stephenville, St. Fintan’s, Cape St. George and Deer Lake. Smith was taken into custody after the new charges were laid. He is now incarcerated in a remand facility somewhere in Newfoundland. I checked on 16 March 2012 and there are now 11 complainants.
07 May 2012: another charge is being transferred from Nova Scotia (involving one of the original complainants) and a possibility that there may be charges from New Brunswick
Next court date: 04 June 2012: 10 am, Corner Brook, Newfoundland courthouse (82 Mt. Bernard Ave.) – for arraignment on all charges; 07 May 2012: Corner Brook, Newfoundland courthouse (82 Mt. Bernard Ave.) – for arraignment on all charges (ADJOURNED) ; 09 April 2012: 10 am, arraignment on all 62 charges, Corner Brook Newfoundland court house (ADJOURNED); 05 March 2012: 10 am, arraignment on all 62 charges, Corner Brook Newfoundland court house; 23 February 2012: to enter a plea – Corner Brook, Newfoundland court house.
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Bishops of Corner Brook Labrador from time of Father Smith’s ordination: Michael O’Reilly (05 July 1941 – 14 January 1970 ); Richard Thomas McGrath (01 June 1970 – 17 June 1985); Raymond John Lahey (05 July 1986 – 05 April 2003); David Douglas Crosby, O.M.I. (06 Aug 2003 – 24 September 2010); Peter Joseph Hundt (01 March 2011 – - )
[Note that Raymond Lahey was installed as Bishop of St. George's in August 1986. Lahey's child porn trial is pending. He is also being sued by a man alleging sexual abuse]
Bishops of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island from the time Father Smith arrived in the diocese: Joseph Vernon Fougère (11 December 1991 - 11 July 2009); Richard John Grecco (11 July 2009 – )
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08 May 2012: Smith case set over to June
07 May 2012: VIDEO Father George Smith: “Priest facing more charges” 07 May 2012 (NTV)
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23 February 2012: Watch video clip – Father George Smith: Priest Faces More Sex Charges (NTV, 23 February 2012)
14 December 2011: Watch Video: Disgraced priest George Smith appeared in Corner Brook court 14 December 2011 (CBC)
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07 May 2012: Priest’s case set over to June
09 April 2012: Former P.E.I. priest to face another charge in sex abuse case
09 April 2012: More sex-related charges expected against Catholic priest
09 April 2012: Former local priest facing at least an additional charge
09 April 2012: Former priest to face more charges in sex abuse case
06 March 2012: Catholic priest’s case will be called again in April
05 March 2012: No plea from priest for Sex Charges (NTV – 05 March 2012)
23 February 2012: BLOG In Canada!
24 February 2012: Now facing 62 total sex-related charges, priest consents to remand
23 February 2012: Priest Faces More Sex Charges
23 February 2012: Newfoundland priest faces 24 new sexual abuse charges
17 December 2011: Prayer, comfort needed in wake of sex charges: Bishop
15 December 2011: “Roman Catholic priest facing 38 sex-related offences” and comments (15 December edition)
15 December 2011: Priest turns himself in on sex charges
14 December 2011: “Former P.E.I. priest facing 38 sex-related charge” and comments
14 December 2011: Roman Catholic priest charged with 38 sex-related offences in Newfoundland
14 December 2011: RC priest facing 38 sexual abuse-related charges
14 December 2011: Priest faces 38 sex abuse charges in Newfoundland
14 December 2011: Priest charged with 38 sex offences
14 December 2011: Priest facing sex charges
26 May 2010: Priest allegations reported years ago: bishop
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The following information is drawn from Canadian Catholic Church Directories CCCD) which I have available and media (M)
07 May 2012: another charge is being transferred from Nova Scotia (involving one of the original complainants) and a possibility that there may be charges from New Brunswick
23 February 2012: 24 new charges added – there are now 62 charges. The allegations date from 1969 to 1989 in six communities, including Port Saunders, Corner Brook, Stephenville, St. Fintan’s, Cape St. George and Deer Lake. Smith was taken into custody after the new charges were laid. He is now incarcerated in a remand facility somewhere in Newfoundland. I checked on 16 March 2012 and there are now 11 complainants.
23 February 2012: 24 more charges laid (M) taken into custody on an indefinite remand (M)
14 December 2011: 38 charges of sex abuse laid dating to years 1969 to 1989 (M)
according to media, now lives in Truro, Nova Scotia (M)
May 2010: removed from parish after allegations of sex abuse. According to media reports was serving at St. Malachy’s Roman Catholic Church, Kinkora, P.E.I. (M)
address in index for St. Dunstan’s Cathedral, Charlottetown, P.E.I. (Rector Father Danny Wilson) (CCCD) (listed as incardinated in Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador)
2002: Pastor, Saint Mary Roman Catholic Church in Indian River and Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Kensington, Prince Edward Island (CCCD)
1999 & 2000: St. Pius X parish, Charlottetown, PEI. (Listed as incardinated in the Diocese of Charlottetown, PEI. Pastor of the church Father Gerard Chaisson) (CCCD)
1995 - 1998: not listed in index (CCCD) (according to news report was” transferred” to Charlottetown in 1994: http://www.theinquiry.ca/wordpress/charged/smith-george-father-george-smith/no-allegations-against-p-e-i-priest-brought-to-police/ If that’s the case he must have gone to PEI right after a short spell in Benoit’s Cove? )
1994: Star of the Sea , Benoit’s Cove, Newfoundland (Diocese St. George’s) (CCCD)
1993: “on leave” (CCCD)
it is alleged that sometime in the 90s the initial complainant told a priest of the abuse, and that Bishop Raymond Lahey, then bishop of the diocese, was advised (M)
June 1986-May 1991: Immaculate Conception, Deer Lake, Diocese of George’s Newfoundland (news reports)
http://ngb.chebucto.org/West_Coast/church-13.shtml)
initial complainant’s allegations relate to years Smith was serving in Deer Lake (M)
1992: Immaculate Conception, Deer Lake, Newfoundland (CCCD)
some charges stem from Smith’s time serving in St. Fintan’s, Newfoundland (M)
??: St. Columcille Roman Catholic Church, St. Fintan’s, Newfoundland. (according to media reports, Smith served in St. Fintan’s before being transferred to Deer Lake, Newfoundland. (M)
some charges stem from Smith’s time serving in Deer Lake, Newfoundland (M)
1973-1974: St. Stephen’s Church, Stephenville, Newfoundland. (Pastor Father Patrick J Bromley)
some charges stem from Smith’s time serving in Port Saunders (M)
1971-72: Holy Family, Port Saunders, Newfoundland. Pastor Father D. T. McGrath.(CCCD). [Father Des McGrath committed suicide in 2009 before standing trial on charges stemming from allegations of sex abuse of a young boy in the late 70s and early 80s ]) (CCCD)
some charges stem from Smith’s time serving in Port Saunders (M)
1969: Ordained ( CCCD)
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14 October 2010: Priest being investigated for criminal activity
14 October 2010: Investigation into Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Priest Ongoing: RCMP
23 August 2010: BLOG Hopefully, time will tell
12 August 2010: Investigation of priest slow: RCMP
05 June 2010: St. Fintan’s man says he was abused by Rev. George Smith
02 June 2010: Number of abuse allegations on rise: People coming forward to RCMP concerning suspended priest
02 June 2010: More victims come forward in alleged priest abuse case: police
01 June 2010: Newfoundland RCMP investigating alleged abuse by PEI priest
31 May 2010: Chaisson replaces suspended Kinkora priest
27 May 2010: Church RCMP disagree over filing charges
27 May 2010: No allegations against PEI priest brought to police
26 May 2010: Priest allegations reported years ago: Bishop
25 May 2010: PEI priest suspended following abuse allegations from NL
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Onus on Church to report abuse charges: RCMP
National Post
26 May 2010
By Charles Lewis
The removal of a P.E.I. priest over allegations of abuse have raised police concerns about not being informed by Catholic Church authorities, and triggered questions about the Church investigating serious charges on its own.
“We have not been contacted in any way shape or form by Church officials or anyone to make a complaint about the allegations against (this priest),” said RCMP Sgt. Jacques Morneau of the Deer Lake, N.L., detachment. “All we know is what we’re hearing from the media. But if this was serious enough to suspend him we would expect to be contacted.”
Rev. George Smith, a parish priest in P.E.I., was removed from his duties after Richard Grecco, the Bishop of the Diocese of Charlottetown, received a call from the Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador on May 14 about abuse allegations that allegedly occurred while Smith served in Deer Lake between 1986 and 1991.
Grecco told the CBC this week that he did not inquire into the nature of the allegations but followed the diocese’s protocol and removed the priest from his work immediately. He did not know whether police were involved.
“Within 24 hours I had written a letter to Father George telling him about this,” Bishop Grecco told the CBC. “That Sunday afternoon that letter was delivered to him. The allegation obviously is from many years ago. The allegation originates in and pertains to the Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador, not to the Diocese of Charlottetown.”
Morneau wondered what the Church will do with the allegations if they do not come to the police. The RCMP would only launch an investigation once a complaint is received, he added.
“I don’t think the Church is equipped to deal with these situations,” Morneau said. “The onus is on them to report these things. If it’s illegal and immoral, they have to report this.”
He said abuse allegations should not be considered internal business, adding that the Church would not have the investigative experience to carry out a thorough investigation.
“We are all bound by the Criminal Code — and if someone came forward and made an allegation, and they’re aware of the (potential) criminal offence, they should report it.
“They should involve us just to clarify things,” Morneau added. “The uncertainty causes more panic. And it’s even unfair to the priest.”
Calls to the Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador were not immediately returned.
Church officials in P.E.I. were not available for comment. Other dioceses — including St. John’s, Edmonton and Toronto, for example — will immediately inform children’s aid authorities or police within an hour of an allegation of abuse against a child. But adult complainants bringing up allegations of abuse from the past must go to the police on their own.
Neil MacCarthy, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Toronto, said the Church will still do its own investigation even if the police are not involved, but said all complainants are urged to go to the police. A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Vancouver said any allegation against a child, whether current or historical, is referred immediately to outside authorities.
“If the allegations relate to abuse of a child we report them to the ministry and the police — this is true whether the allegations are made when the victim is a child or later when the victim is an adult. It is only in cases where the abuse occurs between two adults that we have no legal obligation to report.”
National Post
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Catholic priest suspended after abuse alleged
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 | 8:07 PM AT
A Roman Catholic priest on P.E.I. has been removed from his duties over an allegation of abuse stemming from his time serving in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Rev. George Smith was working at St. Malachy’s Church in Kinkora, P.E.I.
Bishop Richard Grecco told CBC News on Tuesday that on May 14 he received a call from the diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador informing him that an allegation of abuse had been received about Smith.
Smith served in Deer Lake, N.L., from 1986-91 and went to P.E.I. in 1994.
“I did not inquire [into] the nature of the allegations because the protocol and the procedure is quite clear. As soon as an allegation is made, we have to move this person from his work,” said Grecco.
“Within 24 hours I had written a letter to Father George telling him about this. That Sunday afternoon that letter was delivered to him. The allegation obviously is from many years ago. The allegation originates in and pertains to the diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador, not to the diocese of Charlottetown.”
Grecco said he was told Smith was quite distraught about the allegation, but he understood that once a complaint of abuse is made a priest must leave the parish. He said he was praying the allegation was not true.
“Everybody in their life has experienced darkness and discouragement. Of course, I feel discouraged. These are dark times,” Grecco said.
Grecco said that as bishop he is shocked, sad and heartbroken about the news. He does not know if the police are involved at this point.
Parishioners were given the news Sunday. Ramona Roberts was in St. Malachy’s Church when the bishop’s letter was read out.
“Some were brought to tears, honestly, because it was that much of a shock. It was the total opposite of anything you would have anticipated hearing in a Sunday mass,” she said.
Roberts said many parishioners had been hoping Smith would be made the parish’s permanent priest.
Smith is now visiting friends out of province. Several retired priests will be working in the parish until a new priest is appointed next week.
It’s been a year since this began. I called the RCMP yesterday to find out the status of the investigation. I am expecting a call back from someone with the Deer Lake Major Crime Unit. No call yesterday. I doubt there will a call over the weekend so will have to wait until Monday.
Click here for comments re Smith posted on another thread
I am so disappointed in you,I went to you to tell you of another person abusing others under age and you come back with a slap in the face YOU were people who take GODS place, not really, I realize it must be for money.GOD would not hurt a child as You did. WHOcan we trust?
thanks for sharing ragina, I understand your feelings and frustration. And as far as wondering who to trust ??????? Hmmmmm….I now have my the god of my understanding and it sure as hell hell isnt any of that catholic crarp…You can see and feel god in the land scape the mountains or simply take time for yourself in silence and and just talk to god . God is ever were, I’m suggesing to you to watch the move STIGMATA. Its amazing and so very true. I dont put trust in anything catholic ever, theres to many cover ups from two faced people and hypocrites..
Preist George smith was arrested today and appeared I’n corner brook Nfld court and has to return back I’n febuary to enter a plea
Thank you Mike! Finally!!!
After seeing your blog I checked – just posted an article
14 December 2011: Priest facing sex charges
38 charges!
Well done all who spoke up. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. It’s taken a long time, but, with 38 charges laid, it looks as though it was a thorough investigation.
The news has been picked up from coast to coast – on line at least. I have posted a lot of the coverage – all are a repeat of the initial articles. Unless there is something with some new information I won’t post any more this evening.
Preist George smith has to go back to court tomorrow, the 23 of febuary to enter a plea for his wrong doings. Good to see that the catholic mockery is cleaning up its act and getting rid of the queers and pedophiles .
Preist. George smith and some others need to know its suppose to be adam and eave. Not Adam and Steve. Daaaaaa ! And Definitly. Not little boys
Another 24 charges against Smith for a total of 62: I just posted the latest: 23 February 2012: Newfoundland priest faces 24 new sexual abuse charges
Wow how sick , more charges , hard to beleive that these people do the things they do . Why do they become preist ?????? Is it to have easy prey on kids or a split personality . I’d love to know the dirt and secerets that the pope is hiding.
when is the next court apperance for preist george smith to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty ???????
Check on the page above Sam under Next court date. Smith’s next court date is 05 March 2012. That is for arraignment on all charges. Whether or not he decides to enter a plea on that date remains to be seen.
ok thank you. I hope he will plea guilty and gets sentenced to 15 years in prision to have a good long time to think about how he has affected and destroyed the self-esteem of young boys.
Court starts at 10 am tomorrow. I called the Western Star to get the start time. Also found out that in Newfoundland cameras can run in the court room until the judge enters – that’s why we have been getting those amazing video clips from court.
Sylvia, do you think it is time to ask for a MOST WANTED LIST in Canada, where we could encourage more victims to come forward and press charges?
It seems there may not be one Diocese in Canada where victims of sexual abuse by Priests do not reside. It is like an iceberg– four-fifths of it has not yet been seen.
What will our Grandchildren have for guidance if this mess is not completely cleaned up !
AWSOME, and great to know, thank you.
Any word on what happened to preist George smith today in court ???
Defense asked for a month to review case before entering a plea. here is a link to the news there.
http://ntv.ca/video/?p=20775
Just notice another news report, he is returning April 9 th.
I have just posted the NTV video.
Another five minutes court time – no Father Smith. Another month for his lawyer to sort things out. Another month to decide if he`s guilty or not. Another hard day for the complainants.
Another month for his lawyer to sort things out ???????? Hmmmmm , and to figure if he’s guilty or not ? Wow ! What kind of a lawyer is this ?
Father Smith is on remand, 2 for 1 you know there will be more “delays” , the lawyer knows exactly what he is doing.
There is no longer 2:1 for time served in Canada David: that came to an ended with Bill C-25. Bishop Lahey managed to squeak through and nab it, but that will be out of the question for Smith.
There is however the possibility “where circumstances justify” of attaining 1.5 for 1 for time served. Courts are now required to explain those circumstances.
So, should the situation warrant, Smith MAY be able to claim – with justification – 1.5 for 1, but he will not be able to claim 2 for 1.
Hmmmmm, interesting, I sometimes wonder how people such as smith can even get a lawyer ,or better yet ,why would a lawyer even want to work for someone that caused sick and hurtful things to childeren ????
It was brought to my attention by victim services that after preist George smith appeared in court on the fifth of March, there was another two victims that had the strength and courage to come forward . So there is now over 80 charges against this preist. WOW .
Thanks for that info Brian wolf. That might explain, at least in part, why his lawyer wanted another month. On Monday I will see if I can confirm that there two more complainants and find out how many charges there are now in total.
Brian, I checked with the court today. I was told that there are 62 charges and 11 complainants, so the number of charges is unchanged but there are indeed two more complainants than previously reported by the media.
The start time for the 09 April 2012 hearing is 10 am.
George smiths court date is just around the corner, for April the 9th in the supreme court . I wonder if he will be sentenced this time around ?
Did anybody hear what the latest news on preist George Smith was today in supreme court of Newfoundland ??????????????
Court date in corner brook nfld, is set for preist George smith tomorrow, for an arraingement on all charges .
Do you know if that’s at 10 am as before Jack?