Publication ban

I contacted and was told by a reliable source this morning that there is indeed a publication ban on the voire dire (trial within a trial) at the Father Philip Jacobs “trial.” The word is, as anticipated,  that the voire dire will carry into next week.  It is anticipated that possibly on Wednesday the judge will set a new trial date.

We will probably hear what the voir dire was all about once the trial actually gets off the ground.  At that time there will be a publication ban in effect only on the identity of the complainants and any testimony or evidence which might reveal their identity.

So, bear with what I call all the legal shenanigans.  We won’t be hearing much of anything about the proceedings right now, and it is just too risky to ask anyone in attendance to make comment.  Heaven forbid anyone gets into trouble for posting something which might infringe the ban, and Heaven forbid we give grounds for Father Jacobs s to complain that the ban was violated in any way shape or form.

I will keep an eye and ear on things.  As soon as there is news which can be publicized I will post it.

*****

A few disturbing and/or interesting tid  bits for your information:

(1) Father Patrick O’Neill

I have been told by a reliable source that convicted molester Father Patrick O’Neill has been living at the Villa Vianney in Edmonton Alberta, which is a home for retired priests located in the same area as the Edmonton Pastoral Center. Until recently he was living almost next door to an onsite daycare (Primrose Place).  The daycare has since relocated.  He is still in close proximity to St. Kevin’s school.

An interesting little story here.  I have been told that about seven years ago a woman was out for a walk with her young son.  The boy was riding his bike and was travelling about a block ahead his mother.  As the boy passed the home in which O’Neill was living the priest came out, approached the boy and asked if he, the child, was lost.  The boy said he wasn’t lost and was with his mother who was just behind him.  At that O’Neill disappeared.

The woman was concerned and asked about to find out who this man was.  She was told by a nun that it was Father Patrick O’Neill, and that he had been convicted for child sex abuse.

Concerns were expressed to staff and clergy at the villa about the incident.  It was learned that a nun, Sister Norma, had revealed that Father O’Neill was a convicted child molester.

Shortly thereafter Sister Norma was shipped off to the States.

I am told that there is essentially  no monitoring of this priest – barring an 87-year-old woman who is supposed to be keeping an eye on him!

(2) Father William White

Also living at the Villa Vianney in Edmonton Alberta and in close proximity to St. Kevin’s School is another convicted clerical molester, former Holy Cross Father, Father William White.

I have been advised that Father White is called upon quite often to fill in at various parishes when there is a shortage, or when a parish priest is away.

(3) Father Kenneth O’Keefe csb

I have been doing a big clean out and refurbish in my office.  Yes, painting is the order of the day again.  Once you start in one room the rest look pretty shabby – you just have to keep moving right along 🙂

Anyway, as I emptied drawers and shelves I came across 25 years at St. Basil’s, a booklet commemorating the 25th anniversary of St. Basil’s Roman Catholic Church in Ottawa.  The parish was initially which I have had for years.   And there on page 8 offering his good wishes on the occasion of the Silver Anniversary is Father K. O’Keefe.  According to his good wishes, Father O’Keefe was actively involved in St. Basil’s from at least 1960

I scanned and posted the picture and text on the Father Kenneth O’Keefe page.

There is no date on the booklet.  The parish was founded by the Carmelites in 1956.  It was taken over by the Basilians in 1959.  The new church was opened in 1960. So, somewhere in the early to mid ’80s?

*****

While in throes of emptying shelves and fining cabinets I came across three Southdown reports for Father Charles MacDonald.  I went hunting for those quite some time ago.  They had been misfiled.  I will scan them, but, they are poor quality so it will take more time than usual.  I will probably leave that task until later next week, but, I will eventually post them.

Enough for now,

Sylvia