Congratulations to the four men who found the courage to break their years of silence and speak out on their allegations of childhood sex abuse at the hands of Father Bernard Robert:
12 August 2011: Suits filed over alleged pedophile priest
12 August 2011: Men suing church for abuse
12 August 2011: Windsor-area men launch $8M priest abuse lawsuit
12 August 2011: $8M suit filed against London diocese for alleged abuse by Tilbury priest
12 August 2011: Former altar boys allege abuse; launch lawsuits
According to one of the articles, Roberts died in 1996 at the age of 72.
I find no mention anywhere of the fact that Father Bernard Roberts was once Father Bernard Roberts ofm cap. The letters behind his name meant that he was a member of the Capucins (also Capuchins)
According to the Canadian Catholic Church Directories Roberts, ordained in 1950, left the Capucins in the late 60s. At some point, probably right after leaving the Capucins, he became incardinated in the Diocese of London, Ontario. ( That would have been thanks to Bishop Emmett Carter who was then Bishop of London, Ontario.)
Why, I wonder, did he leave the Capucins? He served in Blenheim for years as a Capucin. The parish – within the Diocese of London, Ontario – was run by the Capucins. Why did he decide to leave? Does anyone have any information on that little corner of Robert’s life?
Enough for now,
Sylvia